IIlIBUARY OF CONGRESS. 

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Eae'.c to the shades of death, thou perjured ghost ; 
Thou liest ! Go breathe damnation on the lost. 

Act W, Scene HI, p. 122. 



KING SAUL 



A TRAGEDY. 



By BYRON A. BROOKS 




NEW YORK: 
NELSON & PHILLIPS. 

CINCINNATI : 

HITCHCOCK & WALDEN. 

1876. 

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Entered according to Act of Contrross, in the year liT6. hf 

BYE OX A. BROOKS, 

in the Office of the Lilirarian of Congi-ess at Washington. 

[all rights reserved,] 



TO MY READERS: 

TO ONE WHO ASSISTED IN ITS INCEPTION AND 
PROGRESS ; 

TO THOSE FRIENDS TO WHOSE CRITICISM IT WAS FIRST SUBMITTED *, 

AND TO YOU WHO NOW READ ; 

€^h Wolumt is ^especlfallg fcbicattb, 

IN THE HOPE THAT ITS PERUSAL MAY MAKE US ALL FRIENDS, 

UNITED BY THE UNSEEN BONDS OF THOUGHT 

THAT LINK CONGENIAL MINDS. 

THE AUTHOR. 

I 



PREFACE 



THIS is not an historical drama, merely illustrating 
the Scripture narrative, nor a dramatic poem. It 
is a tragedy. The essence of tragedy is the will of man 
at war with a supreme will — the tragedy of life. This 
is powerfully shown in the Greek tragedy, as in " CEdipus, 
the King," of Sophocles. But there is this difference be- 
tween the Greek and the modern tragedy. The former 
shows the human will struggling against fate — often a 
blind and unjust fate. In the modern tragedy the Su- 
preme Will is not less powerful, but always good ; while 
man is not less willful, but always wrong. The lesson 
of the former is to submit to the inevitable ; that of the 
latter — the lesson of all history and revelation, not con- 
tradicted by modern science — is God's rule over nations 
and in the affairs of men. This is strongly exemplified 
in the life and death of the first king of Israel, who 
towers above all other monarchs, as his form was " head 
and shoulders " above all common men. 

Says an eminent critic in a recent review of Alfieri's 
*' Saul," " His is a royal and regally-poised nature, that 
has first been undermined by sin and the consciousness 
of sin, then crazed by contact with the spirit-world, and 
by a nameless dread of the impending anger of an 
offended God." 



6 Preface. 

I have also chosen this subject, that in so remote a 
period in the history of man we may find him untram- 
meled by the artificial conditions of modern society, 
and behold the natural and spontaneous expression of 
the emotions, which in modern life are concealed and 
suggested only by the efforts made to suppress them. I 
have also wished to avoid the old classic mine for sub- 
ject and illustration, and have thus confined myself for 
ornament to the great field of external nature as an ex- 
pression of human nature, and to such a use of it as would 
readily occur to strong though untutored minds familiar 
w^ith her various aspects. It is also a period in which 
man was near to the spirit-world, and thus the introduc- 
tion of the supernatural in the drama will not appear 
unnatural. I have not hesitated to sacrifice portions of 
the history to dramatic unity, and to introduce other 
elements, such as the plots of Abner, and some of the 
scenes between David and Saul's younger daughter, 
which, I trust, will be found consistent with the spirit of 
the original, and also contributive to the end as well as 
the interest of the drama. I know well that the sub- 
ject demands an abler hand, but I humbly add my page 
to the great volume portraying man to man. 

B. A. B. 
New York, October lo, 1876. 



DRAMATIS PEES01N"iE. 



Saul, King of Israel. 

David, a Shepherd Lad, anointed to be King. 

Abner, Captain of the Host. 

Jonathan, ) 

\ Sons of Saul. 

ISHBOSHETH, ) 

Samuel, the Prophet of God. 

Jesse, Father of David. 

Eliae, ) 

\ Brethren of David. 
Abinadab, ) 

Abishai, Friend of David. 

Rechab, an Assassin. 

Sarah, ) 

\ Daughters of Saul. 
Kachel, ) 

Elizabeth, Mother of David. 

Witch of Endor. 

Ghost of Samuel. 

Chorus of Hebrew Women. 

Officers, Soldiers, Armor-Bearers, Elders, Mes- 
sengers, Prophets, Ficgitives, Attendants, etc. 

Scene — in various parts of Palestine. 



KING SAUL. 



PROLOG-UE. 

Sce7ie. — A Plain near the Village of Bethlehem. 
{Samuel before a burning altar, sacrificing?) 

Samuel. 
Lord, here am I, in Bethlehem, prepared 
To do thy will, and pour the anointing oil 
On him thou call'st to rule o'er Israel. 
My soul is cleft in twain by love and fear. 
I love thy servant, Saul, by thee first called 
To rule our race, by me anointed first ; 
Yet dread his wrath if he should know this thing, 
For then I die. Still more I stand in awe 
Of Israel's God. I dare not disobey 
The word of Him who rules omnipotent 
In heaven and o'er the nations of the earth. 
No man can stay thine arm. Thou canst cast down 
Thine own elect, and from earth's lowest raise 
A king to do thy will. Be it not mine 
To reason why, or question thy decrees. 
Let wrathful Saul strike down this aged dust, 
And blot my name from Israel. Thy will 

Be done. 

A Voice. 

Be still, and know that I am God. 
{Samuel bows in silejice. Enter elders of the tozuii.) 



10 King Saul. 

First Elder. 
We tremble at thy coming, seer, and seek 
To know what it doth bode to Bethlehem. 

Second Elder. 
Dost thou come peaceably ? 

Samuel. 

Yea, peaceably. 
I come to sacrifice unto the Lord. 
Now sanctify yourselves, and come with me 
To sacrifice. Call Jesse and his sons. 

First Elder. 

They, too, have seen this flame, and come this way. 

{E7iter Jesse and his sons.) 

Samuel. {Looking on Eliab.) 
The Lord's anointed is before him now ! 

The Voice. 
Look, Samuel, not upon his countenance, 
Or stature tall ; for him have I refused. 
Jehovah seeth not as man, for man 
Beholdeth but appearances of things ; 
God looketh on the heart. 

{Abinadab passes before Samuel^ 

Samuel. 

Nor hath the Lord 

Selected this. 

{Shaminah passes by.) 

Nor hath he chosen this. 



King Saul. ii 

{Jesse s other sons pass by ^ 

These, neither, hath God called. Jesse, are all 
Thy children here ? 

Jesse. 
All, man of God, save one ; 
And he, my latest born, doth keep the sheep. 

Samuel. 
Send and fetch him, for we will not sit down. 
Til] he come here. This day hath honor come 
Unto thy house. In time to come I see 
Kings, potentates, and princes rise and call 
Thee sire ; thy name forever linked with his, 
Great offspring of thy loins. 

{Enter David.) 

Jesse. 

Behold ! he comes. 

The Voice. 
Arise, anoint the lad, for this is he. 

Samuel. {To David.) 
Though I perceive a ruddy youth thou art 
And ill prepared to bear the weight I bring, 
God's voice hath spoken. 

{Ajtoi?its David) 

David, Jesse's son ; 
Our fathers' God, the God of Abraham, 
Of Isaac, and of Jacob, now doth call 
Thee from thy flocks, to lead his chosen race. 
Their royal shepherd thou shalt be, to guard, 
And guide them to the sacred city's fold. 



12 King Saul. 

In visions dim time's vail is rent. I see 
Prophetic fingers point to thee, and on 
Through thee to One, the Son of God, and Son 
Of David ; born, like thee, in Bethlehem ; 
The great Anointed, King of heaven and earth. 

David. 

holy man, I tremble at thy words. 

1 hear thy voice, as when the night wind sways 
The sighing trees, but wist not what it says. 
My soul is moved by thoughts unutterable, 
Yet knows not why. No more can I return 

To Bethlehem's hills to tend my flocks, or watch 
At night Orion and the Pleiads rise. 
In peaceful contemplation wrapt ; for thoughts 
Will come of this day and thy solemn words 
With boding expectation fraught. 

Samuel. 

Fear not ; 

For though the heavens and earth shall pass away, 
God's word shall stand. What he conceives, is done. 
His hand hath loosed the rocky mass that hung 
Upon the mountain's edge, which gathering might, 
And thundering as it rolls, will smite and crush 
Whate'er oppose, nor pause until it rests. 
At last, in lowest vale. 

David. 

O, man of God, 
Thy weighty words, dropped in mine ear, disturb 
Mine inmost soul, like rocks from crumbling crags 
That plunge into the quiet pool and make 



King Saul. 13 

The strange commotion felt to farthest shore. 
My every sense is roused with unborn fears, 
Misgivings strange, and aspirations vague. 

Samuel. 
The spirit of the Lord be with thee. Go ! 

Jesse. 
O, Samuel, stay and bless our coast. 

Samuel. 

My work 
Is done. The prophet's words are ended. Go ! 

David. 
Prophet of Israel, farewell ! 

Samuel. 

Go, go ! 

{^Exeunt all but Samuel. 

God ! wilt thou unappeasably pursue 

In wrath thy servant, Saul, my friend and king, 

And cast him down to death for one offense, 

In that he executed not thy will 

On Amalek ? Wilt in his stead anoint 

This youth ? No more can I behold his face. 

I go to hide me from my people's sight, 

And leave the end with thee. I have proclaimed 

Thy will, the doom of Saul, though every word 

Hath rent my bleeding heart to give it birth ; 

For thou hast taught obedience is more 

To thee than sacrifice, and willing hearts 

Than fat of rams. Yet, O, let not thy wrath 

Be kindled 'gainst thy servant for these tears 



14 King Saul. 

Of human sympathy. Thou art not man 

That thou shouldst feel repentance. Thou dost work 

Thy will unmoved, and lead'st the nations bound 

And subject to thine everlasting law. 

Jehovah maketh poor and maketh rich : 

Jehovah bringeth low, and Hfteth up. 

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, 

And lifteth up the beggar from the mire, 

And setteth them 'mong princes, and doth make 

Them heirs unto the glory of the throne. 

For all the pillars of the earth are his, 

And he hath set the whole round world upon them. 

\Exit. 



King Saul. 15 



ACT I. 

Scene I. — BETHLEHEM. — A field before the dwelling of Jesse 
— Flocks feeding in the distance, 

{Enter David and Jesse.) 

Jesse. 

My son, take thou this ephah of parched corn, 
And these ten loaves, and carry to thy brethren 
In camp at Elah. Haste ! See how they fare, 
And take their pledge ; for now are all the men 
Of Israel, with Saul, our king, gone out 
To battle with our old Philistine foe. 
But thou and I, youth and old age, remain 
Upon the peaceful margins of life's stream, 
Between which rolls the raging flood of wars, 
Ambitions, passions, and all strifes of men. 
These shriveled hands, which have not always held 
The shepherd's crook, again would wield the sword 
Against the enemies of God. Alas ! 
I now can only pray for Israel's cause. 

David. 

My father, let me join my country's ranks ; 
My arm is strong, my heart is bold,— 

Jesse. 

What! thou, 
My youngest and my dearest, whom so late 
I held upon my knee and taught to lisp 
Thy country's name } Why, boy, thou dream'st ! 



i6 King Saul. 

David. 

'Tis thou, 
My sire,. that dost forget how rapidly 
The changing moons have waxed and waned, and each 
Has added to my stature and my strength. 
And yet, last night, upon my bed, I dreamed. 
And saw a vision strange. I fell asleep. 
With thoughts — which oft perplex my waking mind — 
Of Samuel's words and solemn act, and what 
They bode to me and thee, and all our race. 
Methought I heard again the prophet's voice. 
He said, " David, arise ! The hour is come ! " 
I rose and followed him into the night, 
And felt my heart dilate at every step. 
The moon was sinking 'neath the hill up which 
I lead my flocks, and seemed to cast o'er all 
A sickly glare, as struggling in eclipse : 
Or was it what I there beheld, that half 
Obscured her beams ? For there a spectral form 
Of awful aspect stood, stern, towering high 
As heaven, its shadow darkening all the plain. 
It grasped a spear like some majestic fir 
Beneath whose shade at noon our flocks find rest, 
And brandished wild its arms, as giant oaks 
When tempests tear their leaves and toss their limbs 
Awry. My leader said, " Go forth and fight ; 
Thou shalt prevail." A new-born courage filled 
My heart, and fear took flight. Forward I rushed, 
When, lo ! the specter vanished. Where it stood 
Appeared a form more fair than aught on earth. 
And said, " I come to lead thee to a throne." 
Impelled by admiration, hope, and love, 
I followed her. She led into a wood. 



King Saul, 



17 



So dense and dark, that in the deep'ning gloom 

My lovely guide soon disappeared. Alarmed, 

I sought escape. But now each trunk became 

A mailed man, and every branch a spear 

Aimed at my heart. O'erwhelmed, I called on God, — 

And woke. 

Jesse. 
Thou dream'st of wars and women, then ! 
Thou'lt be a man ere long. 

David. 

I am a man. 
Not years make men, but thoughts, and hope, and love, 
And ponderings deep on all the mysteries 
Of life and nature. These have been my thoughts 
From childhood's hour : Why was I made ? For what 
This God-like form, excelling every work 
Of man's, and prisoning here a breath of God's, 
That seeks his breast again ? Is being all ? 
Existence but a striving to exist ? 
Man's end no higher than the driven herd's ? 
Better their state, without his pains and passions ; 
Far better not to be. God's pride is man : 
But I would rather be the merest waif 
That floats obedient to its maker's will, 
Than call myself a man, and yet not feel 
Heaven-born ambition ! God hath given each soul 
A power and call to do some noble work. 
And make all life sublime. My soul aspires 
To do, and doing grandly, truly live. 
Oft, when alone, my shepherd's reed I've tuned, 
1 he heavenly influence of harmonious sounds 
Hath borne my soul aloft on spirit wings 



1 8 King Saul. 

So far from earth that it hath disappeared, 
And I have lost my kinship with mankind. 
And when, at night, from some lone mountain-top, 
I've watched the silent stars come slowly forth 
To claim converse with me, the long, still night 
Hath been an age of ecstasy, till day 
Hatli rudely hid their eyes and driven me back 
To this contracted earth. Here must I work ; 
Now is the time. A voice hath whispered " Wait ! 
God's work for thee is great." But I have heard 
The prophet's words, and felt the anointing oil 
Poured on my head. The hour decreed is come : 
Now let me haste to join our country's ranks. 
My father, I'm an older man than thou ! 

Jesse. 

My child, my child ! — I have no more a child ! 

Son, — David, — what shall I name thee .'' Alas ! 

I know not what ! These strange, foreboding words, 

This fearful dream, the oracle of God — 

All body forth this end — thou'rt mine no more ! 

This morn the tenderest offspring of my stock 

Thou wert, of budding promise full, to stay 

And twine about my lonely age, since war 

Hath rudely wrenched my other scions, all, 

From out paternal soil to prop the State. 

But this, I fondly hoped, would flourish here. 

Beneath whose shade my aged limbs might rest. 

And there, at last, be gathered up in death. 

O God, 'tis all a dream ! I wake to weep ! 

Thy going, son, I cannot stay ; but, O, 

Before we part bequeath thy sire this pledge, 

That thou'lt return. 



King Saul. 19 

And must I ever see 
This tender form, these gentle arms, encased 
In rugged brass ? These hands, that only know 
The shepherd's crook, armed with death-drinking 

spear 
And war's resounding shield ? Must this pure brow, 
Where white-robed innocence yet sits enthroned, 
Be soiled and stained with battle dust and blood, 
And, O ! perhaps deep scarred with war's rude seams ? 
God shut that vision from my burning sight ! 
O David, Z^^^r thou'rt named, and dear thou art 
As apple of mine eye. Wilt thou not grant 
Thy sire one promise ? Say thou wilt return ; 
Then take my blessing. 

David. 

Father, I'll return. 
The Lord, who called our father Abraham 
Out from his land to dwell in deserts wild, 
And gave him richest promise, calls me too. 
Thou heard'st the prophet's words, perchance dis- 

cerned'st 
Their end. I only feel their weight, and hear 
The inward voice. Thou taught'st me to obey 
Thy word and God's ; I go, but I'll return. 

Jesse. 
God's blessing go with thee, my son, my son ! 

{Exit David?) 

In truth the Spirit of the Lord is here, 

And calls him from my side. I thank thee, God, 

For such a son. O, shield him from all ill ! {Exit:) 



20 King Saul. 

Scene II— K Zamv.— Soldiers passing to and fro, preparing 
for battle. 

{E?iter David.) 

David. {To t/ie guard.) 
Can'st tell me, man, where Jesse's sons are camped ? 
They are of Judah's tribe. 

First Soldier. 
Abinadab, 
And Eliab ? 

David. 
The same. 

First Soldier. 
Thou hast not far 
To go. Thy brethren dwell in yonder tent. 
But stop. I,et me advise thine ignorance. 

David. 
I have no time for idle words. 

First Soldier. 

'Tis well. 

Then make thy visit brief. 

David. 

And for what cause } 

First Soldier. 
Dost wish to see thy sire again } 

David. 

I do. 



King Saul. 21 

First Soldier. 
Then tell thy message with dispatch. 

David. 

And why ? 

First Soldier. 
The lion's lair is no retreat for kids. 
But hither come thy brethren. 

David. {^Saluting his brethren^ 
Hail, brethren ! 
Our father, Jesse, bade me bring to you 
These tokens of his care, and take your pledge — 
Lock from your head, or other sign that you 
Still dwell among the living and are well. 
So rising up this morn, ere night's black robe 
Was streaked with gray, I left my white-wooled 

flocks 
To stranger's care, and hastened to the camp. 
I joy to see you still alive and well. 

Abinadab. 
Our father, the old man, is he yet well } 

David. 
He was this morn, when I left Bethlehem. 

Eliab. 
Gave he no other message } 

David. 

None : except 
That I return with haste to bring report. 



22 King Saul. 

Eliab. 
Then haste, and stand not here with wandering eye 
Turned toward these warhke preparations. Boy, 
They fit not thee. 

David. 
Why lingers Israel's host 
Before this godless crew, and hastens not 
To sweep them utterly from earth ? 

Abinadab. 

Thou speak'st 
Like one that ne'er hast seen a hostile shape 
More dread than lurking fox or prowling bear. 
Thou hast not seen this man that is come up 
Defying Israel, the champion 
Of Gath, who day by day his challenge makes 
With boastings loud, reviling Israel's God. 

David. 
And is there none to take away this shame 
From Israel } 

Second Soldier. 

But, O, he is a monster ! 

Abinadab. 
One look would make thee quake, and wish thou ne'er 
Hadst left thy peaceful hills. 

Second Soldier. 

His face is like 
The gnarled roots of blasted oak, his teeth 
Like tusks of savage boar ; and when he speaks, 
*Tis as a lion roars. 



King Saul. 23 

Abinadab. 
Coward, thou seest 
With eyes of fear, and speak'st with vagrant tongue ; 
Yet there is cause enough for fear. 

Second Soldier. 

'Tis true, 
I swear 'tis true ; I saw him with these eyes. 

Abinadab. 
But twisted o'er your shoulder as you ran. 

David. 

What shall be done to him that shall destroy 
This champion, and blot out our shame ? For who 
Is this uncircumcised Philistine that 
Defies the armies of the living God ? 

Third Soldier. 
The king hath sworn that he will make him rich 
With 2:reat reward. 



t>' 



Second Soldier. 
May I be poor forever 

Third Soldier. 
And make his father's house free in the land. 

Second Soldier. 
I'd sooner be a slave, and live, than meet 
My death at his huge spear, tossed in the air 
And twirled aloft on its keen point, like this. 
{T-iVirls his helmet on the point of his spi'ar.) 



24 King Saul. 

Third Soldier. 
And more, — the king hath promised that the man 
Who slayeth this blaspheming wretch, shall wed 
His daughter. 

Second Soldier. 
She will never be my wife. 
If that's her price. 

David. 

Where is the glory fled 
Of Israel ! Spirit of Joshua, 
Shall one base infidel defy God's host .'' 
And where is Saul } Where Jonathan, whose arm 
Smote twenty in one day, and put to flight 
The whole PhiUstine host } I will go up 
To meet this man ! 

All. 
Ha! ha! 

Second Soldier. 

Who is this boaster ? 

Eliab. 
Why comest thou down hither } and with whom 
Hast left those few sheep in the wilderness ? 
I know thy pride and naughtiness of heart, 
For thou art come that thou might'st see the battle. 

David. 

What have I done ? Is this not cause enough ? 

Eliab. 
Haste, babbler, to thy flocks : leave war to men ! 
No more disgrace our house with thy vain words. 

( TAe Giant of Gath appears, preceded by an annor-bearer^ 



King Saul. 25 

Third Soldier. 
He comes ! he comes ! 

(All look ajnazed, then tremble atid flee in great confusion, 
except David?) 

Armor-bearer. 

I, in the name of him 
Whose shield I bear, defy you all this day. 
Give me a man, that we may fight. Ha ! ha ! 
They flee like sheep before the wolf, and none are left 
To hear the challenge but that shepherd lad. 
Fear not ; the eagle does not stoop to mice. 

David. 
I, in the name of Israel, accept, 
And will to-morrow meet thy champion here. 

Armor-bearer. 
Ha, ha ! GoHath will be here ; doubt not 
By Ashtaroth and Dagon, he will give 
Thy flesh to beasts and birds. 

{Exeimt Goliath and armor-bearer?) 
{Re-enter Eliab.) 

Eliab. 

O, has he gone "^ 

David. 
Here are thy loaves ! perchance they will sustain 
Thy sinking soul. Now lead me to the king. 

(Exeunt.) 



26 King Saul. 

Sce7ie ///.—Interior of Saul's Tent.— 7»;«^, night. 
{Fjiter Saul a7id Abner.) 

Saul. 
Now forty suns have wheeled round earth, since first 
We came to meet our ancient enemy ; 
And forty days this mighty champion, 
With taunts and curses, hath come up and dared 
Us to decide the war in single fight. 
And yet, in all the tents of Israel 
Dwells not a man so prodigal of Hfe, 
So bold of heart, that he will venture all 
In one great deed, and dying, win 
Undying fame, or living, doubly live, 
Crowned with the honor of his countrymen. 
Not great rewards, nor duty's stern appeal. 
Nor fame's sweet voice, can rouse my people's souls. 
" For what," say they, " are fame and wealth to us 
If we go down to death .? For life is sweeter 
Than honor, and the Hght of day than great 
Rewards." Thus long have I delayed to see 
If God would raise him up a champion 
To vindicate his name. But none appears. 
Day after day I've offered sacrifice 
In vain. God is no more in Israel ; 
For Samuel withdraws, and with him takes 
The Lord, and leaves me but his curse. Because 
I stayed not sacrifice at Gilgal, when 
The laggard priest's set time had passed, and all 
My people fled, he prophesied the end 
And ruin of my kingdom. When I wrought 
His will on Amalek, and only spared 
The harmless herds, an offering to the Lord, 
He fell into a pious rage, and swore 



King Saul. 27 

Another should possess my crown and throne. 
God is no God if reason he have not, 
And mercy too. I care not for his aid. 
And now, I learn, the angry seer hath gone 
To Bethlehem, and chosen Jesse's son. 
Anointing him as king. 'Tis well he hides 
His traitorous head at Ramah. I am king 
In Israel, and woe to him that dares 
Rebel ! I scorn these idle prophecies. 
Abner, who is thy king } Who rules this host, 
Whose countless tents along these hillsides gleam, 
In blended ranks, dense as the unnumbered stars 
That form the angels' roadway overhead ? 

Abner. (Bowmg.) 
Thou art our king, O Saul. 

Saul. 

Rule I, or God } 

Abner. 

Who is this God } I never have beheld him. 

Saul. 
Hath he not fought for us ? 

Abner. 

For, or against, 
I know not which. But this I know, that he 
Is ever found upon the side that hath 
The strongest phalanx. 

Saul. 
With him, or without 
His aid, to-morrow morn I shall go forth 
To fight Goliath. Not another day 
Shall his vile insults stins: mine ear. 



28 King Saul. 

Abner. , 

Not thou, 

king. Let lesser man the hazard take, 
Whilst thou, who only canst control, dost hold 
The ranks prepared to rush upon the foe. 

Saul. 

Was it for this ye chose me king } Shall I 

Turn back while others dare death's strong embrace ? 

Did not the people say, " Give us a king 

To go before us and to fight our battles .?" 

He who would lead must dare. E'en though he bear 

A lambkin's heart, the lion's skin must hide it. 

Be there a height so great it pierce the clouds, 

Rough, steep, and dense with bristling foes from base 

To death-crowned peak, yet will I rush to scale it. 

And though before my feet there yawn a gulf 

Broad as the sea, as black as hell, and deep, 

I'll plunge therein, let heaven and earth cry hold, 

If Israel bids me on. Thou knowest not 

The soul that rules this breast, if thou conceiv'st 

The son of Kish feels fear. No more forget 

That I am king. 

Abner. 

Thy pardon grant, O king. 
But let thy servant one more word advise. 
As I came through the camp I heard that one 
Had offered to go out against this man. 

1 know not who ; and yet, I heard so much, 
I would advise to stay thy will one day, 
And learn the truth. 



King Saul. 29 

Saul. 
If, on the morrow, none 
Comes forth to claim this enterprise, 'tis mine. 

{Enter David accompanied by Jonathan?) 

Jonathan. 
Father, I found without this youth, who sought 
Thy tent, and words with thee ; with what design 
He would not tell, but was so earnest that 
I ventured, though the hour be late, to lead 
Him in. 

Saul. 
What is thy business, boy ? 

David. 

O king. 
Let no man be dismayed because of this 
Philistine ; for thy servant will go up 
To meet this champion. 

Saul. 

Be'not so fond 
Of empty fame. Thou canst not fight this man. 
Whose towering height and matchless strength are 

joined 
To equal skill and valor. He's a man 
Of war from youth, and thou — a simple lad. 
( Turns aside.) 

Abner. 
Waste not our time with thine impertinence. 

David. 
Yet hear, O king. I kept my father's sheep ; 
And, lo, there came a ravenous bear and seized 



30 King Saul. 

A lamb from out the flock. All unprepared 
For such a foe, I followed, caught, and smote 
Him with my single arm, and slew him there. 

Again, a hungry lion came, whose roar 
Made all the hills with echoes dread resound, 
And every lesser beast to hide with fear. 
He sprang into my flock, and with his prey 
Slow stalked away, as king of all the earth. 
Him I pursued. I seized his shaggy mane 
In one strong hand, and with the other rained 
Such blows with oaken staff upon his head. 
While all the air with hideous roars he rent, 
That soon, his fierceness slain and overcome. 
The king of beasts lay dead upon the plain. 
And so shall this Philistine be, that dares 
The armies of the living God. For he 
Who saved me from the paws of these huge beasts, 
Will rescue from the hands of this great foe. 

Saul. 
In truth thou hast a sinewy frame, and heart 
For bravest deeds. The Lord be with thee. Go ! 
Yet thou art ill prepared for such a fight. 
Take thou this helmet, and my well-tried sword. 
For it hath tasted blood of many a foe ; 
And this strong shield ; it hath withstood the shock 
Of hostile spear. 

{David essays to put on the armor ^ 

David, 

I cannot go with these : 

I have not tested them. 

{Throws them upon the groimd, and takes his shepherd's staff 
and slijig^ 



King Saul. 31 

Seest thou these stones ? 
I chose them from the brook that flows beside 
My father's door. These I can sHng with aim 
That stops the raven in her highest flight, 
And with a force to lay a lion low. 
This weapon I have used from infancy, 
Taught, even then, to hit the target placed 
On topmost bough, ere I could win my rude 
Repast. God saveth not with sword and spear. 
Now all the earth shall know there is a God 
In Israel. {Exit David, 

Abner. 
A worthy champion 

Indeed ! 

Saul. 

Know'st thou whose son this stripling is } 

Abner. 
O king, I cannot tell. 

Saul. 
Go and inquire. {Exit Abner, 

Son, leave me now, we have outstayed the night, — 
Calm, starry night that hushes all the world, — 
And I have need of sleep. — {Exit Jonathan, 

Sweet, dreamless sleep 
Is mine no more. 'Tis nature's recompense 
To those who have no other good. The poor 
Can lay their jaded limbs and careless brains 
On night's sweet couch, and find oblivion ; 
But evil spirits drive it from my breast. 
For when the glaring eye of day is shut. 
And all its discords cease, then conscience wakes. 
And stalks through all the chambers of the brain, 



32 King Saul. 

Knocks at the door of every sin, and cries 

Awake, arouse ! When stern ambition comes 

Into the soul, he throws so wide the door 

That every wrong comes crowding in his train, 

And every gentle virtue takes its flight. 

These hateful guests remain, and urge me on ; 

While fate, behind, with time's unyielding tread, 

Impels me to my destiny. I must 

Go forth to meet this man. My star tells true, — 

My death-hour is not come ; and in his fall 

My throne is fixed forever. {^Lies down. 

Now, strong sleep 
Possess me ; pour new strength along my limbs ; 
In death's disguise, instill new life. {^Sleeps, 

{Alorning dazuns.) {Cheers and shouts without.) ( Wakes^ 

Whence come 
These shouts "i Has the Philistine come so soon ? 

{Enter soldier.) 

Soldier. 



They flee ! 



Saul. 
Who flee .? 



Soldier. 
The foe, the hated foe ! 
Goliath's slain ! [Exit soldier. 

{Saul goes to the frofit of the tent, throws back the curtain, 

and sees David stafiding over the body of Goliath. In 

the distance the Israelites are seen pursuing 

the ene?ny with cheers and shouts.) 

{Jo?iathan rushes into the tent, followed by soldiers:) 



King Saul. 33 

Jonathan. 

Joy, father ! Israel 

Is free. 

Saul. 

What mean these words ? 

Jonathan. 

Goliath's slain. 

Saul. 
By whom } 

Jonathan. 

The young man whom thou saw'st. 

Saul. 

But how ? 

Relate. 

Jonathan. 

When I left thee, the sun cHmbed up 
The east, and with him came the man of Gath 
Arrayed in all the panoply of war, 
And seemed a walking tower of glittering brass. 
While all stood dumb, with boastings loud he told 
His deeds of valor, and demanded one 
To fight with him. And when none came, but all 
Began to flee, he called us slaves and dogs, 
And cursed us by his gods. Then, all at once, 
Before him stood this youth. At sight of him 
The giant's wrath waxed hot. With horrid oaths 
He swore the youth 'should be a prey to beasts 
And carrion birds. But he, still undismayed. 
With confidence replied, " This day art thou 
Delivered to my hand. Thee will I smite. 
And from thee take thy head, that all may know 
The battle is the Lord's." Then forward rushed, 
.3 



34 King Saul. 

And as he ran, drew forth a stone, and swung 
Around his head a sling. Forth shot the slug, 
With the twang of an iron bow, and smote 
The giant in the forehead. All so brief. 
We heard at once the sling's shrill cry, and crash 
Of shield and spear, when down he fell, as falls 
The hoary oak, with thunder to the ground. 
The foe in terror fled, whilst we pursued, 
And I am come to bear the glorious news. 

Saul. 
Now is my kingdom sure ! My star shines bright ! 
Speed on pursuit. Let not a soul be spared. 

\^Exit soldiers. 
Where are my captains t Where is Abner now t 
{Chee7's without.) 

Jonathan. 
He comes, and with him brings the shepherd lad. 
{Enter Abner and David bearing the sivord of Goliath.) 

Abner. 
This lad, I know not how, hath slain the great 
Philistine, and made way for victory. 

Saul. 
Thou shalt tend sheep no more, but next the throne 
Be numbered with our kingdom's strongest peers. 

David. ■ 
O king, I bring thee here the mighty sword 
With which I took away the giant's head. 
Take thou the trophy. Place it o'er our shrine. 
An everlasting token, that the Lord 
Hath wrous^ht this thing in Israel. 



King Saul. 35 

Saul. 

Brave youth, 
It shall be done. And when, in coming time, 
Our children ask whence this huge brand, thy tale 
Shall be related ; how a shepherd boy. 
With stone and sling, laid low the giant foe, 
And made his country free. 

David. 

Now let me go. 
My father sighs for my return. 

Saul. 

Whose son 
Art thou ? 

David. 

I am thy servant's youngest son, 
Jesse, of Bethlehem. 

Saul. 

What ! art thou he 
Whom Samuel hath prophesied shall yet 
Possess my throne ? 

David. 

Thou art the anointed king. 
And I, thy poorest subject, do obey. 

Saul. 
Now are the prophet's words belied. For, mark ; 
The very man he chose to work my end 
Hath slain my greatest foe, and grounded deep 
The pillars of my throne. The God he serves 
Hath overshot his mark ; or, if he rules, 
'Tis o'er the immortal ones, and not on earth. 
I thank thee, prophet, for thy warning words ; 
Now is my course made clear. But first, this youth — 



36 King Saul. 

Abner. {Aside to the king.) 
Set him in the post of danger. Let him fall 
By hostile hand. So clip the lion's strength 
Ere he be grown, 

Saul. {To David.) 
Thou shalt be captain o'er 
A thousand. Stay until my farthest foe 
Be slain ; then shalt thou go unto thy sire 
With honor. Abner, haste we in pursuit. 
Sheathe not the sword till every house in Gath 
Shall mourn a man-child slain, and Askelon 
Lament her princes that shall come no more. 
Thus shall my kingdom stretch from shore to shore. 

[Exeunt Said and Abner. 

Jonathan. 
Thee can I love. In all my father's court, 
There lives not one that does not live for self 
Alone. Self is the mote set in the eye, 
That darkens all the world. Self makes each drink 
His cup alone in dark suspicion, drowns 
The voice of justice, stifles love and peace, 
Deluding men of noblest mold to deeds 
Of baseness. Human souls were niade for love. 
Oft, sick at heart with life's unvaried ills, 
I've fled unto myself for that I sought. 
And pictured forth a being blest with all 
Those God-like attributes we love, and vowed 
Would Heaven grant me such a one, to him 
I'd cleave till death alone should part. This day 
Hath seen my dream made fact. Thou art the man. 
To thee I vow eternal friendship true. 



King Saul. 37 

David. 

Now am I blest indeed ! Not when I set 

My foot upon the giant's neck while shouts 

Rang in my ear, did such a glow suffuse 

My frame as now. O prince, if I find grace 

With thee, I swear by Him who knows not change, 

That David is thy friend. 

Jonathan. {Giving David his sword and bow.) 
Be these the signs 
That Jonathan hath made this covenant 
With David. Let the coming ages be 
Our witness unto time's remotest day. \Excunt. 



38 King Saul. 



ACT II. 

Scene I. — Gibeah. — Before the palace of the king. 
{Ejiter Saul, Abner, David, Jo7iathan, officers and soldiers^ 

Saul. 

Now are the ruddy waves of war rolled back 
From Israel's coasts, that on their foaming crests 
Yet bear aloft and scatter wide the wrecks 
Of hostile pride. My utmost wish is wrought 
On that fell race, God's scourge o'er Israel, 
To David, first, my thanks are due, who smote 
The mighty bulwark ; then to you who rushed 
Into the breach he made ; while fear, more swift 
Than conquering arms, the fated foe pursued. 
With joy I see my home. My people now. 
Beneath God's smile, can reap the fruits of field 
And flock, unpillaged and unawed ; 
Our kingdom stands secure on every hand. 

Abner. 

To thee, O king, is all the honor due 
Of this great victory. The foe will e'er 
Respect thy heavy hand, and Israel 
Thy laws. Long live our valiant king ! 

David. 

He, who to Abraham pledged this fair land, 
And drove its people out before the sword 
Of Joshua, gave us this victory. 



King Saul. 39 

Abner. 
And who art thon, son of an unknown sire, 
A base, Judean shepherd, that dost dare 
Detract aught from the honor of our king ? 

Jonathan. 
O vaHant Abner ! thou hast pursued so hot 
A fleeing foe, that thou dost soon forget 
Who put the foe to flight, and us to shame, 
And smote the champion that forty days 
Defied us all. 

Saul. 
Lay by your vain disputes ; 
This is a day for joy. O'er war's dark rents 
Hang wreaths, and smoothe the wrinkled brow of care 
In feasts and mirth. E'en now there meets mine ear 
The voice of chanting maidens, come with song 
And dance, to welcome us to homes of peace. 

{Chatiting heard faintly within the palace, gradually 
drawing 7ieareri) 

David. 
As Miriam and Moses sang their praise 
To God, that brought them out of Egypt's land. 
So Israel's daughters come, with joy to chant 
Deliverance from Philistia's foul hand, 
{jEnter from the palace chorus of Hebrew women, led by Rachel 
and Sarah, daughters of Saul.) 

Chorus. 
Great is the Lord, and mighty is his arm. 
That giveth Israel the victory. 
He hath turned back the armies of our foes. 
And slain the strength that made us sore afraid. 



40 King Saul. 

In pride they came, with banners flaunting wide, 

Like forest leaves when wanton spring is green ; 

In death they He, like autumn's withered leaves 

That bleach upon a thousand hills and plains. 

With vaunting threats they swore that Israel 

Should be destroyed, his sons find sudden death ; 

His daughters fair should weep, in bondage led 

To heathen homes, and terrors worse than death ; 

And Hebrew matrons, proud in many sons, 

Should, childless, toil in hopeless servitude. 

But now their words are as the idle wind, 

And they themselves sink back to mother earth. 

Philistia's daughters mourn, whilst we rejoice : 

Her mothers sit in silent, childless homes. 

Then praises sing to God, that rules on earth, 

And to his chosen sons that give us joy. 

To valiant Saul, our first anointed king, 

As great in glorious deeds as in his form ; 

To Judah's shepherd, next, who with a sling. 

Laid low the mighty foe, and oped the door 

Through which together pressed soul-slaying fear 

And heaven-born victory. To Jonathan 

We sing, the hope of Israel, the joy 

Of every maiden's heart, and yet foremost 

In danger's fields where warlike works are wrought. 

And following fast, our country's strongest stay, 

Great Abner rages like a lion roused, 

Or battle steed that snufis the smoke afar. 

To these, and all our valiant sires and sons. 

We sing and dance, with hearts replete with joy. 

( They da7ice : then part itito two divisions and chant 
responsively.) 



King Saul. 41 

Chorus. 
How beauteous are the feet of those who bring 
Glad tidings of sweet peace to troubled souls. 

Semi-Chorus. 
The heavy spear, and sharp, unfeeling sword 
Have pierced the hearts of those who wished us ill. 

Chorus. 
The sword is sheathed in joyful Israel : 
The bow unstrung ; the arrow flies no more. 

Semi-Chorus. 
Yet is stern war, of gentle peace the sire ; 
He only can her infant slumbers guard. 

Chorus. 
But now she comes to us, with laughing eyes, 
We welcome her, and reck not of her birth. 

Semi-Chorus. 
But liberty, her sister, is as fair. 
And with her sire oft goes to battle forth. 

Chorus. 
Her, too, we greet with joyful hearts, and pray 
She may forever dwell with smiling peace. 

Semi-Chorus. 
Then sing their praise, who from war's cruel arms 
Have brought his daughters fair with us to dwell. 

Chorus. 
Great is the shield of Saul ; before his spear 
Dark terror runs, and after, victory. 



42 King Saul. 

Semi-Chorus. 
Strong is the arm of David ; high his soul, 
Who met and slew the mightiest man of war. 

Chorus. 
As towers Saul's form above all other men, 
So is his name ; Saul hath his thousands slain. 

Semi-Chorus. 
As fell the champion by his single arm, 
So David hath his tens of thousands slain. 

Chorus. 

{Gradually withdraiving as they entered?) 
Then welcome peace, and welcome liberty. 
And welcome home our brave deliverers, — 

Entire Chorus. 
For kingly Saul hath slain his thousand foes ; 
But tens of thousands hath great David slain. 
{Exit chorus, repeating the last refrain?) 

Saul, {Aside to Abner.) 
To David tens of thousands are ascribed ; 
To me but thousands ! What can he have more, 
But all my kingdom .? 

Abner. 
Set a snare for him. 
Let not the rank weed grow beside thy house, 
But plant it where the steeds of war will tread 
It down, and bury 'neath the sharp plowshare 
Of death. 

Saul. {To David.) 

Did'st thou behold my eldest daughter, 
Who led the dance .^ 



King Saul. 43 

David. 
Yea, I saw one, O king, 
Who looked disdain upon the shepherd youth ; — 
And one more kind, more fair, methinks, — 

Saul. 

What, her ! 
My youngest and my dearest ! Nay, not so : 
'Tis meet the elder should be wedded first ; 
Her shalt thou have to wife. But be thou brave, 
And fight for me the battles of the Lord. 

David. 
O king, thou honorest me o'er much. For who 
Am I, or what my father's family 
In Israel, that I should be thy son ? 

Saul. 
By boldest hearts are noblest women won. 
Sheathe not thy sword ; where danger calls be first ; 
Rest not. To still more daring deeds go forth. 
Come, worthy friends, come, let us go within, 
And rest awhile from well-earned victory. 
{A/l but David enter the palace.) 

David. 

father ! look upon thy suffering son, 

In this brief space transformed, and clad in all 

The harsh habiliments of dreaded war ; 

Then weep to see thy boding words made true. 

1 am a man, alas ! too soon ; and all 
Man's vast inheritance of woes is mine. 
Why did I leave my peaceful home, and go 
Where sounds of war inflame the youthful blood ! 
And yet, a heavenly voice did call me thence. 



44 King Saul. 

And rouse my soul to ransom Israel. 

The sword is seized, and burns into my hand ! 

Come war, thou art my peace ; and fiercest foes, 

My friends ! Farewell, farewell to Bethlehem's hills, 

And humble homes of innocence and joy! 

Farewell, my gentle flocks, that wait my call 

Which ye shall hear no more ; ye groves and glades, 

That knew my step which comes not yet again. 

Farewell, ye rocks and caves, that to my reed 

Gave sweetest echoes back ; ye solemn woods. 

Whose diapason grand for me did swell, 

And wrap in fierce delight, when winds were high, 

And thunders rolled their terrible refrain. 

Farewell, myself! that wast — and art no more ; 

And welcome this new man, of this fierce sire 

Begot. 

{Addressing his sword?) 

I trust thou wilt not slay thy son. 

The hand that wrought this change still leads me on, 

And I pursue, whether to do or bear. \_Exit. 



Scene II. — GiBEAH. — Interior of the Palace. 
{Enter Rachel a7id Sarah.) 

Rachel. 
Dear Sarah, knowest thou the youth who stood 
Beside our father, and received so much 
Of praise, methinks as ill befits his years 
And unknown parentage .-* 

Sarah. 

I only know 
That he is young and fair, and looks a prince. 



King Saul. 45 

Rachel. 
Didst note how soon his new-fledged honors make 
His look and step too high for low-born youth ? 

Sarah. 
His eye is bright, indeed, with fire of truth ; 
And his free foot hath never learned to bend 
With feigned humility. 

Rachel. 

Saul eyes askance 
This mountain oak, that thrives too near 
The throne, and would transplant to harsher clime, 
Lest he should wither in its growing shade. 

Sarah. 

Hath not our royal father promised thee 

A bride to him, returning from new wars 

And victories ? 

Rachel. 

But he may not return — 
Sarah. 
Kind Heaven grant he may ! 
Rachel. 

Not if I am 
To be the guerdon of his bravery. 

Sarah. 
And is he not a husband worthy maid 
Of highest birth ? 

Rachel. 

Thou knowest not his name 
Nor lineage ! Shame, daughter of King Saul 
Should so forget her merit ! 



46 King Saul. 

Sarah. 

I care not what 
His name, his fortune, or his family. 
Man's real worth to woman lies in man 
Alone. A heart that's pure and true, a mind 
Undrugged with selfishness, and action just. 
That looks heaven in the face — that is a man. 

Rachel. 
What ! dost thy heart incline to this fair stranger ? 

Sarah. 
He is not quite unknown ; for Jonathan, 
Our brother, hath told how with staff and scrip 
To camp he came, of Judah's tribe, to see 
His brethren there ; how, when all hearts had quailed 
For forty days before the man of Gath, 
This youth, inspired of God, went forth, smote him, 
And gained for us the liberty and peace 
We sing. Our brother saith he is a man 
To be his choice among a thousand ; one 
With heart unfurrowed yet by passions fierce, 
Where seeds of love, dropped in the virgin soil, 
Will freely grow, and noblest fruitage bear. 
A covenant of friendship they have made. 
Bright harbinger of purest joys to both. 
Would such a friend were mine ! 

Rachel. 

Too well I see 
Thou hast committed woman's gravest fault — 
Let go thy heart ere it was sought of thee ; 
And to a shepherd ! I could blush for thee. 
My sister. 



King Saul. 47 

Sarah. 
Spare thy blushes for thyself. 
Is woman's soul less free than man's, that she 
Its native flower must cover from the sun, 
And hide in secret cells to fade and die, 
Or be untimely plucked by vagrant hands ? 
My brother owns his love for this true man, 
And why not I ? 

Rachel. 
Confess it, then, to me, 
But not in that proud tone. 

Sarah. 

Of woman's life 
The glory and completeness is her love ; 
And doubly crowned is she that loves aright. 
She does not spread her perfumes to the breeze, 
But hoards to lavish all on her heart's lord. 

Rachel. 
If Saul learn this he will be sore displeased. 

Sarah. 
Though he hath double right as sire and king 
To mine obedience, my heart's mine own. 

Rachel. 
I like not these high words. They do not fit 
Thy gentle sex. I leave thee now, and hope 
Thy heart may learn to bend before it break. 

Sarah. 
Farewell, then — but know this : woman is man. 
The law that rules Ins soul guides hers ; except 



48 King Saul. 

As she came later from the hand of God, 
She hath remembrance better of his truth 
And purity. [^-^^"^ R^'^''^- 

O Thou that didst protect 
Our fathers, Abraham and Jacob, from 
Their foes, and didst deUver Joseph safe 
From all the snares of envy, lust, and hate, 
And set him where his native excellence 
Might shine a guiding light to all his race, 
Thus watch, I pray, o'er David, and stretch out 
Thine arm in his defense. 

{Enter David tmpercezved.) 

Let hostile spear 
Be broken by his hand. Turn back the sword ; 
Avert the flying arrow, and destroy 
In self-set snare those who breathe out their threats 
Against the blameless son of Jesse. 

David. 

Princess, 

O, can it be, that thou dost pray for me. 

Who am not worthy of thy slightest thought } 

Sarah. . 
Hast heard my words } For whom more worthy can 
I pray .-* My prayer is answered ere expressed ; 
Thou art returned so soon ! 

David. 

I have not yet 
Set forth. 

Sarah. 

O, then, wilt thou remain with us .^ 
No more take in thy hand thy precious life. 



King Saul. 49 

Not all the heathen lives thou hast destroyed, 
Or may'st destroy, can equal thine. The soul 
Once spilled into the infinite sands, can ne'er 
Be gathered up ; and this rare spirit, once 
Freed from this fleshly ark that floats betwixt 
The sea and sky of two eternities. 
Returns again no more. O, go not hence. 
Thou lion of fair Judah's hills ! Learn war 
No more. 

David. 

The king commands ; I must obey. 
Besides, he would incite my youthful hopes 
With promise of a royal marriage, which 
I do not seek. 'Tis better far to wed 
In one's own rank. 

Sarah. 

If love do truly join, 
All ranks are naught. 

David. 

Thy sister, Rachel, loves 
Me not. I have discerned her haughty glance 
Cast on the humble shepherd. 

Sarah. 

She sees not 
The king within thee. 

David. 
Gladly would I flee 
This inauspicious union, and escape 
This life of warfare, envy, and deceit. 

Sarah. 

Yet there is one who better knows thy worth. 
4 



50 King Saul. 

David. 

What sweeter joy than to be truly known ! 

And known by one that is both fair and good. 

Fair as the lilies of the vale is she ; 

Proud as the cedars upon Lebanon ; 

And I am blest to kiss her garment's hem. 

Sarah. 
Love hath its own ; for all her heart is thine. 

David. 

Now am I raised to heaven, and cast down 
To hell ; to catch a glimpse of Paradise, 
And be eternally shut out ! 

Sarah. 

Brave youth, 
Do not despair. My father's restless mind 
May change, and Sarah yet will be thine own. 

David. 

No ! Prijicess thou art rightly named, and art 
Too high a star for shepherd lad to pluck ; 
But, guided by its fixed and lambent light, 
I now can go to whate'er fate God's hand 
Prepares, and know I cannot die unblest, 
Since Sarah's love and Jonathan's are mine. 

Sarah. 

The distant star will yet descend to thee, 
And in thy dwelling glow, constant and bright, 
Upon thy hearth. 



King Saul. ^i 

David. 
Remote or near, thou art 
The ruler of my heart. Could I but call 
Thee mine ! — 

{Enter King Saul, followed by Abner, officers, and attendants. 
From another direction Rachel and her ?naidens.) 

Saul. 
What, shepherd, art thou here } Dost dare 
Address the daughter of the king .? Away ! 
The battle calls for thee. 

Sarah. 

O, father, spare 
Thy wrath, or let it fall on me alone. 
Who stayed this noble youth, and would still save 
Him from the fates of war. Canst thou so soon 
Forget the debt which thou and all our race 
Do owe to him for our great victory. 
So lately sung } 

Saul. 

And did ye not ascribe 
To David tens of thousands, and to me 
But thousands } Does my daughter intercede 
For my base rival, and forget her own 
High birth } 

Rachel. 

More ! Ask her if she do not love 
The shepherd. 

Saul. 
What! 

Sarah. 

Yea, I acknowledge it ! 
Here, on the pinnacle of womanhood. 



52 King Saul. 

I stand, and claim the woman's crown. I love 
One true, brave man, and am by him beloved. 

Saul. 
Then he shall die ! 

{Seizing his javelin, rushes upon David.) 

Sarah. {Springing between them^ 
And I with him ! 

Abner. 

Hold, Saul ! • 
Let not thy hand be on him, but another's. 

David. 
No hour so fit as this. And if it be 
Thy will and God's, I do not fear to die. 
I leave my country free, and shall not fall 
Unmourned. 

Abner. {Aside to the king. 
By paths more indirect, O king, 
Wilt thou more surely come unto thine end. 
This time make sure the snare already spread. 
Thou need'st but name the dowry of his bride ; 
Her boasted love shall lead him straight to death. 

Saul. 

Thy words seem wise, and shall be tried at once. 

{To David?) 
Young man, wilt thou my youngest daughter wed .? 

David. 
Why mock me thus ? Besides, thou know'st I'm poor, 
And Jesse's family of light esteem. 



King Saul. 53 

Saul. 
I seek no other dowry than the spoils 
Of fifty of my foes, slain by thy hand. 

Abner. (Aside.) 
Double the tale ; make double sure thine aim. 

David. 
Now does my darkness break ! Wilt swear, O king ? 

Saul. 
As God doth live, in presence of all these, 
I swear, that if before the sun shall twice 
Complete his course round earth, thou bring me here 
A hundred shields and helmets, taken all 
From slain Philistines, Sarah shall be thine. 

Rachel. 
Who ever set for love a task like this ! 

Abner. 
'Tis easily performed by one who works 
Such wonders. 

Sarah. {To David:) 
O, risk not thy life for me ! 
Live, though it be to wed another bride. 
Instead, let me in darkness die, condemned 
To see thy face no more. 

David. 

I never lived 
Till now. And now, inspired by this new hope, 
I feel I cannot die. O, king, thy word 
Now given I eagerly accept, and haste 
To win the fairest pearl of all the earth. 

{Exit. 



54 



King Saul. 



Saul. 

Will no one rid me of mine enemy ? 

Shall I, the king of Israel, be thus 

Defied upon my throne ! A7/i I the king ! 

Yea, I am chief in misery, and first 

In woe as power ; exalted but to fall 

To deeper depths, and ruin without hope ; 

Cast off by God ; deserted and betrayed 

By his false prophet ; bearded by this youth, 

Anointed and foretold to seize my throne ; 

My people's heart beguiled ; and topmost weight 

Of woe that breaks my heart, my daughter turned 

Against her father, and my son allied 

Unto my foes ! Ye villains, traitors all ! 

Combine your hellish arts — Saul will be king ! 

Pile mountain upon mountain high to crush, 

And I will rise and overturn them all ! 

Abner. 

We are thy friends, while not a foe dares raise 
His hand against thy power. 

Saul. 

Silence ! Thou wretch ! 
Dost thou, too, wag thy tongue against thy king } 
O for a sword to rid me of my foes ! 
Then would I slay ye all, and cast myself 
Upon the indistinguishable mass. 
Amid the blazing fragments of my throne ! 

! had I now the strength of mighty Samson, 

1 would the pillars seize of this huge world. 
And bring its vast, stupendous ruins down 
On all our race, and end at once our woes ! 



King Saul. 55 

First Attendant. 
O, great and sovereign lord, it is not thou 
That utterest these words. The king can speak 
No ill ; but evil spirits do possess 
Thy tongue, and overrule thy heart. Let us 
Now send, I pray, for one in music skilled, 
That by the enchantment of harmonious sounds 
Thy evil spirit may be exorcised. 
And thy true mind restored. 

Saul. 

Dost know of one 
Who thus can cure the soul ? 

First Attendant. 

Most noble lord, 
The son of Jesse, David, hath great skill 
Upon the harp ; and if he play before the king 
Thine evil spirit will depart. 

Saul. 

Recall him. 

Abner. 
O, king, ere this he's far upon his way. 

Saul. 
Thou speak'st again ! Learn when to speak, and 

when 
To hold thy peace, or never hope for place. 
Send swiftest messengers, and fetch the man 
At once, or never see my face again. (ExzY Abjier^ 
Dark is that soul from whence the lamp divine 
Has been removed, or quenched for want of fire 
Drawn down from the eternal source of light. 



56 King Saul. 

There evil lusts do grow and propagate ; 
Blind envy broods ; fierce hates and rancors rage ; 
Foul passions burrow in the black abyss ; 
While over all sleepless remorse doth hold 
Her scorpion scourge, and lash to tenfold fury. 
{E7iter Abner and Davzd.) 

Abner. 
Here is the famed musician. Would'st thou ease 
Thy mind's distemper, thou should'st play on him. 
{David takes a harp, a7id touches the strings^ 

Saul. 
Young man, canst thou attune a heart unstrung, 
Whose sweetest chords are snapped, and noblest 

keys 
Untouched } Which having lost the primal note 
Of heaven, is now no more in unison 
With nature or with man, its jangled tones 
Discordant with the world and with itself? 

David. 
He who hath formed this wondrous instrument, 
And set its thousand strings to heaven's key. 
Alone can re-attune. But nature's notes 
All chime to this same key, and these, when touched, 
Do fill the soul with native harmonies 
It recognizes as its own. 

Saul. 

Let them 
Be tones of heaven or hell, so they do drown 
The voices in my breast, and give me rest ! 
{David plays i/pon the harp.) 



King Saul. 57 

Sweet music hath a magic power to soothe : 
The voices cease — they sink away — they die. 

{Music.') {Saul Sleeps.) 

Abner. 
The mightiest monarch yields to gentle sleep ; 
Stripped of his cares, the king is but a man. 

Rachel. 
His troubled bosom heaves in rhythm slow, 
Like billows of the never-resting sea. 

Sarah. 
O ! is the evil spirit fled his breast } 

Saul. {Suddenly awaking a7td starting up^ 
Demons of hell, depart ! Help ! furies ! death ! 

{Seizes his javelin and hurls it at David, who avoids it and 
escapes, leaving it stickijig i7i the wall.) 

{Sarah falls faijiting upo?t the divan.) 

Fall, fall, ye heavens, and hide me from these fiends ! 
Fly ! fly ! Woe ! woe ! [Exeunt all except Sarah, 

Sarah. {Recovering?) 
Ami alone t O God 
Is this a dream } O, thou all-seeing One, 
Canst thou behold the woes that gather round 
This fated house, and not be moved to pity } 
Avert, I pray, its fast-descending doom. 
Grant Saul a better mind ; and David's soul 
Raise to the height of his great sufferings. 
{Enter Jonathan?) 

Joy ! There's one heart to which I yet can fly, 
And find true sympathy. 



58 King Saul. 

Jonathan, 

Sweet sister, yea, 
Close to this breast, here is thy rest. But whence 
Comes thy distress ? And why do all I meet 
Eye me with looks downcast and full of fear ? 

Sarah. 

! ask me not to tell this day's sad scenes. 
An evil spirit rules our father's heart. 

As David played before the king, to calm 

His troubled soul, roused by the fiends, he seized 

A javelin, and hurled with deadly aim 

At the sweet singer ; but a stronger turned 

Aside the shaft, and he escaped. 

Jonathan. 

Alas ! 
The evil days draw nigh, foretold of God. 

Sarah. 
Most direful stroke, that falls on those we love ! 

Jonathan. {Leading her to a divan?) 

1 know thy noble soul, and how it turns. 
Like unto like, to him with whom I, too, 

Am bound in friendship true. We three are one ; 

And even as mine own, will I secure 

His good and thine. Summon thy soul to meet 

These stern and trying times. Preserve thy faith 

In God and man, and all will yet be well. 

Whate'er betide, the heart of Jonathan 

Will ever answer to thy slightest call. 

\Exit. 



King Saul. 59 

{E?tter Abner, tmperceived by Sarah.) 

Sarah. 
In this dark hour I chng to thy strong hand 
And brave, unselfish heart. 

Abner. 

These I have come 
To offer thee. 

Sarah. 

Be not so free with what 
Thou never didst possess ! Where is my brother .? 

Abner. 
I know not, princess ; but I take thy word. 
Once more and last, I proffer thee my hand. 
And refuge safe from this fast rising flood 
Of ills. 

Sarah. 

Dost thou not understand I love 
The son of Jesse, am his promised bride .? 

Abner. 
Dost thou not see thy father seeks his death. 
And makes thy love his snare } Should he escape 
And thou be joined to him, thou wouldst but share 
And make more sure his miserable fate. 
Be mine, and flee all this ; and I will stand 
Between thy father and thy friend, that he 
May live. 

Sarah. 

Thou speak'st in vain. My heart is gone 
From me, and never can come back. Thou dost not 

wish 
The faded nest from which the bird is flown. 



6o King Saul. 

Abner. 
But woman's love doth come and go again, 
Like mountain streams. In spring tiiey overflow 
Their narrow banks, but when the traveler comes 
Again to slake his thirst, they mock him with 
The drops that trickle o'er their stony beds. 

Sarah. 
Thou dost belie my sex with truths half told. 
Like mountain streams, is woman's heart supplied 
From sources nearer heaven. It is the course 
Of love divine to man, whose currents rich 
He passes by, unworthy, or receives 
Thankless and vain. 

Abner. 
Dost thou refuse my love ? 

Sarah. 
It never has been given. 

Abner. 

Dost count so light 
My earnest words ? Thou shalt repent thy slights. 

Sarah. 
Thou need'st a heart, O valiant man, to teach 
Thee how to woo. 

Abner. 

But I know how to win ! 
Thy sire will not, dare not, deny my suit. 

Sarah. 
Go, go, base man, and learn that woman's heart 
Was ne'er besieged and won by force. Away ! 



King Saul. 6i 

Abner. 
These words insure thy doom. lExit. 

Sarah. 

O ! wretched me ! 
To whom sweet love, God's richest gift, proves woe, 
And snares of death to him it seeks to bless. 

{Sinks 171 despair upon the divan.) 



Scefte III. — GiBEAH. — A court itt the city near the king's 
palace. 

{Enter Saul, Abner, Jo7tatha?t, officers, a7td soldiers^ 

Saul. 

I charge ye all that David must be slain. 
Let me not see his face again. 

Abner. 

O king, 
It shall be done. If he achieve thy task, 
Yet he shall not possess its pledged reward. 

Jonathan. 
Wherefore shall he be slain } What hath he done ? 

Saul. 

Thou offspring of a woman most perverse, 
Do not I know that thou hast chosen the son 
Of Jesse to thine own disgrace and hers 
Who bore thee "l For as long as David lives 
Thou shalt not be established nor thy throne. 



62 King Saul. 

Jonathan. 

Forbear ! I can no more ! Thou shalt repent 

Thy words against my mother. I forgive 

Thy speech to me, for I know how thy wrath 

Flames forth at slightest touch of opposition. 

Such is the malady of power uncurbed. 

I only seek to draw thy feet from sin ; 

Let not the king do any wrong to David, 

For he hath done no ill to thee, and all 

His works have been to thee but good. 

For he hath put his life into his hands, 

Slain the Philistine, and the Lord hath wrought 

A great salvation for all Israel, 

Thou sawest it and did'st rejoice. Wherefore 

Then wilt thou sin against the innocent, 

To take the life of David without cause ? 

Saul. 

O Jonathan, thy words are good and true. 
Thou'rt worthier than I to be called king 
And sit upon the throne. I will obey 
Thy counsels. As God doth live, I swear 
That David shall not die. 

Abner. 

Shall he then live 
To wed thy daughter and usurp thy throne .'* 

{Enter David, followed by servants bearmg shields and hel- 
mets, who pass in a long li?ie before the king?) 

Jonathan. 

Lo ! David, with the trophies of our foes, 
The hard-won dowry of his bride. 



King Saul. 63 

Saul. • 



Dost live ! 
What bring'st thou here ? 



Thy price, O king. 



David. 
The purchase of a queen. 



Abner. 
But fifty, boy. 

David. 

Count them. 
Saul. 
A hundred ! Base-born, take thy promised bride. 

Abner. 
What ! Saul, not so ! 

Saul. 
The king's word rules the king. 

Jonathan. 
Arid still they come ! Two hundred ! Sure the Lord 
Is with him, and doth bless whate'er his hand 
Attempts. [Ex/^ David 

Saul. 
Hath God become my foe ? Did not 
The prophet Samuel anoint this youth, 
And prophesy that he would gain my throne 1 
Yet, though a thousand Gods combine with them 
To work my ruin, I defy them all. 
The morning shall not dawn before we know 
Who rules this land. Come, Abner, soldiers, all 
Who love or fear your king ; obey, my will, 



64 King Saul. 

And by the mighty powers of heaven and hell, 
I swear to end this fateful fear forever. 

\^Exetint 07n7ies. 



Scene IV. — Gibeah. — Interior of David's dwelling. Night. 
{David and Sarah) 

David. 
Now are my toils and dangers all repaid, 
To know that thou art mine for one short hour. 
Though fear and fate attend our wedding feast, 
And mirthful friends come not, we yet are blest. 

Sarah. 
David — Dear is thy name, and having thee, 
The kingdoms of the earth are naught to me. 
Though bought with death, life will I prove to thee. 

David. 
My Princess, let me call thee mine once more. 
Whilst thou art near. For in the future days 
Our only joy may be the memory 
Of this bright hour, and what we now possess. 

Sarah. 
Not all the ills of life or death itself, 
Can make me e'er forget that I am thine. — 
But what's that sound without } {Goes to the door.) 
{Enter Jonathan.) 

O, brother dear ! 
David. 
And brother mine : though that can nothing add 
To what thou art — true friend. 



King Saul. 65 

Jonathan. 

Silence, and hear ! 
If thou save not thy life to-night, the morn 
Will see thee slain ; for now the king doth send 
For thee ; O flee while there is time — away ! 

{Exit 

David. 

Here will I meet my foes, and fall near thee. 
Then will my country be at peace. 

Sarah. 

'Tis not 
The will of God. The prophecies that hang 
O'er thee are not fulfilled. 'Tis thine to flee 
And suffer now, as once to fight and win. 
All things, when God directs, alike do tend 
To the appointed end. 

David. 

Thou hast prevailed. 
But thou— 

Sarah. 
, I go with thee. Are we not one ? 

David. 

Impossible. The dangers of the field 
Thou canst not meet. 

Sarah. 

Those of the court are greater. 

David. 
Not so. Here, thou art safe ; there, both are lost. 



66 King Saul. 

Sarah. 
O ! let me go with thee. The hand of God 
Will guide us. Where thou goest I will go, 
And where thou diest I will die, and there 
Will I be buried ; nor even death part thee 
And me. 

{Loud knockifig at the door, and s/iouts without.) 

Too late ! Save now thyself ; leave me ! 
Go, go ! and I will stay to aid thy flight. 

David. 
How fly .? My enemies are at the door. 
{Louder knocks and shouts.) 

Sarah. 
Attend my words ; the window is thy way. 
This cord will let thee down ; then fly for life. 

David. 
Is there no way but this } 

Come, trusty blade, 
{Putting on his sword.) 
The gift of Jonathan, take thou the place * 
Of wife ! Cling to my side by day and night, — 
O, my dear star, so soon to set and leave 
Me wand'ring in a wilderness of foes ! 

Sarah. 

One last embrace — one pang — and thou art gone ! 

{Knocking increases. She lets David dozvn from the window, 
then hastily places an image upon the divan and covers it to 
represent a man. Shouts without. The door is thrown open^ 
{Enter inessengers of the king?) 



King Saul. 6^ 

Messenger. 
The king demands where is thy husband } 

Sarah. 

There 

He lies ; behold, he is not well. 

Messenger. 

The king 
Hath sent for him. But we will haste to bear 
Report of this. \Exeimt messengers. 

Sarah. 
O Thou that canst not lie, 
Forgive this fraud ; for weak humanity 
Not always doth rely on strength divine. 
O ! speed the steps of him who flees, and balk 
His fierce pursuers. Yea, though every step 
But sunders far whom thou hast just made one. 
O, strengthen us for what remains, and let 
Us ne'er forget, not all the ills of life. 
Nor death, can equal loss of faith in thee. 
And in each other. 

{Enter Saul, Abner, a?id soldiers.) 

Saul. 
Where is David .? 

Sarah. 

Lo, 

Thou seest. {Points to the divan) 

Saul. 
Soldiers, seize him, and bind fast 
His feet, that he may not this time escape. 

{T/ie soldiers go to the divan and tear oj^ the coverings) 



68 King Saul. 

What ! Gone ! Is he not here ? Is Israel's king 
Deceived by his own daughter ? Why hast thou 
Done this, and sent away mine enemy ? 

Sarah. 
Thine enemy .'' Dear enemy ! O, may 
He swift escape ! 

Saul. 

A father's curse be on thee ! 

Sarah. 
A husband's blessing will outbalance it. 

Saul. 
Furies and fiends of hell ! this is your work ! 
Am I thus ever to be mocked, betrayed, 
And made the sport of adverse fates ? King Saul 
Will yet prevail. By all the powers within, 
By this strong arm and all my kingly might, 
Destruction swift shall overtake the wretch. 
Up, guards, pursue ! My dearest friend is he 
That brings mine enemy or his head. YExeimt guards. 

On thee. 
False daughter, first, that durst defeat thy sire, 
And mock him with thy words, shall fall thy fate. 
Thy valiant spouse hath fled : here is a man 
Far worthier than he, whose thou shalt be. 

Sarah. 
Never, alive ! 

Saul, 

Thou hearest my commands ; 
Obey, and learn to curb thy wanton tongue. 
Now, Abner, take thy wife, and — 
{Abner advances?) 



King Saul. 69 

Sarah. 
Touch me not, 
Thou crafty villain ! {Springs into the window^) 

Hence escaped my lord ; 
Advance one step, and I will follow him. 
This door that gave him life and liberty, 
Shall give me liberty and death ! 

Abner. 

One word, — 

Saul. 
Then seize her, ere too late. 

A Soldier. 

The woman's mad ! 
{All advance with uplifted hands to seize her.') 

Sarah. 
A step, — a word, — a breath, — and all is o'er ! 

Saul. 
My child, I yield. O, spare thyself, — and me ! 
My dearest daughter, thou hast conquered Saul. 



70 King Saul. 



ACT III. 

Scefie /.—A Cave in the Wilderness of Engedi. 
{Enter David?) 

David. 
Is this the end of all God's promises } 
Was it for this was quickened in my heart 
The seed divine, that swelled my youthful soul } 
For this was Samuel sent to consecrate 
My head, and speak those wondrous words that 

seemed 
To show divine intent } Was it for this 
I left my father's house and heard the voice 
Of God bid me deliver Israel } 
And this is all ! A moment of applause. 
An hour's triumph, one brief day of joy, — 
And now this cave. High, heaven-inspired hope 
Was mine. My people's confidence and trust, 
The friendship of the truest man, and love 
Of noblest woman of this world were mine — 
And are no more ; so soon have I passed through 
The varied round of life ; from innocence 
And peace to war and woe ; from friendship's light 
And love's delight, to darkness and despair : — 

And only death remains ! Unhappy he 

To whom a soul is given that soars too high 
For his rude lot, and beats its wings in vain 
Against the bars of circumstance ! Would I 
Had never heard the prophet's words or call 
Of inborn aspiration ! Then would peace 



King Saul. *j\ 

Be mine. O father, gladly would I heed 
Thy prayer, and hasten to thine arms ! 

{Enter Jesse, Elizabeth, a7id David' s brethren^ 

Jesse. 

My son. 
My son ! Thank God, I have thee yet alive ! 
Thou hast not come to me ; — but I seek thee. 

David. 
My father, do I hear thy voice once more t 
Reproach me not. My country called : the king 
Commanded me to distant fields : but yet, 
My heart returned to thee. — My mother, too ! 
I dared not hope to see thy face again. 

Elizabeth, 
Art David ? Dear my youngest child is named, 
Our wandering lamb for whom we weeping seek. 
But thou art grown so great, dost look so fierce 
In that strange dress, I cannot call thee mine. 
My child is gone — I know not where. Come, let 
Us haste in search of him ! 

David. 

Have war and love 
Wrought such a change as this } I cast away 
The man of war, and am again thy son ! 
{^Throws down his shield, helmet, and sword,) 

Elizabeth. {Passing her hand over his face:) 
These are the same soft locks, the same smooth brow 
And ruddy cheek. Thy dark eye is as bright. 
And yet, methinks, it hath a sterner look. 
And in thv firm set lips a curve that tells 



72 King Saul. 

Of dangers met, determination strong, 
And soul resolved to face a world in arms. 
Thou art my son, yet not he whom I seek. 

Jesse. 
The child that went from us cannot return ; 
But that arm which I prayed I ne'er might see 
In war's dread garb is now our shield and strength. 
To thee we flee for refuge from our ills, 
And anger of our king. 

Eliab. 
To thee we come, 
And place ourselves beneath thy wise command. 
We know thy bravery on Elah's field, 
Thy modest works that made our words our shame. 
Be now our chief, and we will follow thee 
Till Jesse's house be cut off from the earth, 
Or God make known his purposes in thee. 

David. 
Welcome, my brethren all ! 'Tis well at times 
To be afflicted, that our hearts may thus 
Be stripped of their disguises and brought near, 
Though driven by the lash. All welcome, now ! 
First, let us seek a safe retreat for these, 
Our aged parents, from this threatening storm. 
Abinadab, lead them to Moab's king, 
yntil I know what God will do for me. 

Jesse. 
He surely hath great things in store for thee, 
My duteous son ; there's none like thee in all 
The tents of Israel. My dearj, dear son^ 
Farewell ! 



I 



King Saul. 73 

Elizabeth. 
O ! blessed for thy sake am I 
That bore thee. For, though I have lost my child, 
I yet have given to country and to God, 
A man. {Exeimt Jesse and Elizabeth, 

David. 

Dear ones, farewell ! Thus are cast down 
And shattered all your hopes of calm old age 
Amidst the stalwart pillars of your house, 
Which ye have reared for your last days' support. 
Torn from your home, with trembling steps ye go 
To strangers' care, whilst we, driven from our hills 
And native air, do hide in this dark cave. 
Like outcasts from the face of God and man. 
Is there a God on earth that wills all this, 
And shuts us in this narrow breach of time 
By walls more thick and black than these huge rocks } 
My brethren, are we men } Then let us bear 
These present ills with manly hearts, and wait 
The hour when these dark doors shall part, and lead 
Us to the future's broader fields. Yet here 
No rest is ours ; for even now King Saul 
Doth seek for us with threat'nings of swift death. 
Do ye then watch without ; for ceaseless care 
And vigilance are but the price we pay 
For death's delay. 

Eliab. 

I hear approaching steps. 

David. 
What ! Whence come they .? 

{^Enter fugitives?^ 



74 King Saul. 

First Fugitive. 

O, son of Jesse, we 
Have heard of thy great deeds and vahant arm, 
And, fleeing from distress and debt, we come 
To thee, and seek deliv' ranee from our ills. 

David. 
Death only can deliver ye from them. 

First Fugitive. 
But thou canst shield us from the law's demand. 

David. 
My sword hath ne'er been drawn but to oppose 
My country's enemies, and to sustain 
Her ruler and his laws. 

First Fugitive. 

But he doth seek 
Thy life. 

David. 

He is the Lord's anointed king, 
And he mine enemy that doth him wrong. 
But yet remain. The refuse of the earth 
The Lord can use to right the wrongs of life. 

Eliab. 
Still others come. 

{Enter other fugitives^ 

Second Fugitive. 
O David, whose young arm 
Didst smite the giant, and, inspired of God, 
Set free thy country, we now flee to thee 
From our oppressors, and protection seek 
Beneath thy Heaven-directed rule. 



King Saul. 75 

David. 

I, too, 
Am but a fugitive from hatred's power, 
An exile from my home and all most dear ; 
And have no name or nation — naught but life 
That trembles in the grasp of death. If God 
Hath been my strength, I see not now his hand. 
But while I live, my sword shall aid the weak, 
And when I fall, fall mourn'd by the oppressed. 

Eliab. 

Soldiers appear! 

David. 

It is the king ! Away : 
Conceal yourselves ; it is our only hope. 

{All retreat into the farther part of the cave. Enter King 
Said and attendants^ 

Saul. 
Here will I rest me from the noon's fierce heat. 
Dispose yourselves to yonder cliffs, and guard 
All entrance to this cave. {Exeunt attendants. 

No rest is mine 
While Jesse's son doth walk upon the earth. 
My kingdom totters while he stands. My life 
Hath no delight ; my days made bitterness 
To think he lives ; my nights to torture turned 
By dreams of David seated on a throne. 
That rolls increasing on, and crushes me 
And all my race. By all controlling fate 
Impelled ; by conscience stung, and goaded on 
By wrongs now done to greater yet undone, 
I flee into this waste, pursued more close 



76 King Saul. 

Than he I seek. But now he soon must fall 
Into my hand. Then Saul will be at peace. 
Here, now, I will attempt to sleep. 
{Said lies down and sleeps. David and his men cautiously 
approach?^ 

David. 

The king ! 
He sleeps ; yet lightly, as in troubled dreams. 

Eliab. 
Behold the day of which the Lord hath said 
To thee, I will deliver up thine enemy 
Into thine hand, that thou may'st do to him 
As it shall seem unto thee good. 

David. 

O, thou 
Uncrowned majesty, where now are all 
Thy kingly signs, the reverence and awe 
That guard thy name, and make all lesser men 
Revere the sacred form of royalty } 
Here at my feet thou liest, stripped, exposed, 
Whom I may crush like meanest thing that crawls. 
Thou art the source of all my woes, the man 
Who sought to snare my guileless feet in death 
When I had wrought salvation for thy throne ; 
Who drove me from my dear-bought bride, from 

friends, 
From country, and from home, and sent with hate 
My parents' tottering steps to alien lands, 
And now pursues my soul e'en to this cave — 
Where thou art mine. Home, country, friends, and 

wife — 
All life holds dear — yea, and perhaps the throne, 
Are in one blow. {Dra'cvs his sword.') 



King Saul. TJ 

Thou diest in thy sins ! 
{Suddenly checks himself.) 
— Not by my hand. Thou art the Lord's elect, 
My father, and my king. The Lord forbid 
That I should raise destroying hand against thee. 

Eliab. 

Then let me strike ; thus shalt thou gain the end 
Without the stain. 

David. 
Stand back ! revenge is mine, 
And I will heap it on his guilty head ; 
Yet not as he hath done to me. 

{Oils off the skirt of Saul's robe.) 
'Tis done. 
Retire. He that would touch the king must pass 
My sword. {All retire into the cave.) 

Sleep on, unconscious majesty, 
Whilst thou canst rest. [Retires. 

Saul. {Awaketiing.) 

O sleep, that is not sleep, 
But mockery of rest, to him whose breast 
Is but a cemetery of slain hopes, 
A charnel-house of wrongs ! For in the land 
Of ghostly dreams the graves are rent, and deeds 
The deepest buried rise, and stalk abroad 
More grim and ghastly in their rotted shrouds. 
Than when first laid away. Sleep opes the door 
Upon a spirit world, where vengeful forms 
Rise from the shadowy deep, and thronging press 
Around the naked soul, that hath forgot 



yS King Saul. 

The armor of its waking hours, and stands, 
Shivering, exposed to all their venomed darts. 
This hour hath been an age of agony, 
And clouds of fiends most numerous and fierce 
Have just assailed my soul. This weird recess 
Must be their native haunt ; and even now, 
Methinks, I hear their wings as they recede 
Into its depths. The sun still shines on high ! 
And I will haste from this accursed spot. 

(Goes out of the cave, followed by David^ 

David. 

My lord, the king ! {Makes obeisance to the king) 

Saul. 
David ! Is this thy voice } 

David. 
Wherefore believest thou the words of them 
That say, David doth seek thy hurt .<* For words 
Are neither true nor false, but actions show 
The heart. Behold, this day thine eyes have seen 
Jehovah hath delivered thee to me. 
Here in the cave. Some bade me kill thee there : 
But I spared thee. I said, I will not raise 
My hand against the Lord's anointed king. 
Moreover, see, my father, in my hand 
Thy garment's skirt : see thou, and know by this,— 
That I cut off thy skirt and not thy head, — 
That neither evil nor transgression lies 
Within my hand. I have not done thee wrong. 
Yet thou dost hunt my soul to death. The Lord 
Be judge between us, and avenge my wrongs. 
As saith an ancient proverb, " Wickedness 



King Saul. 79 

Proceedeth from the wicked, but the good 
Will spare their enemies." The Lord be judge, 
And plead my cause, and save me from thy hand.. 

Saul. 

My son, thou hast more righteousness than I. 

Thou hast repaid me good, while I to thee 

Have done but ill. And thou hast shown thy mind 

This day. For if one find his enemy 

Will he let him escape ? Wherefore the Lord 

Reward thee for this thing which thou hast done. 

I surely know that thou wilt yet be king, 

And Israel be established by thy hand. 

Swear now, therefore, to me, before the Lord, 

That thou wilt not cut off my seed nor name 

Out of my father's house. 

David. 

Thou knowest well, 
O king, that I have never sought the throne, 
And now desire but to return in peace 
Into my land. And I do truly swear. 
By Israel's God, that evil shall not come 
Upon the house of Saul by David's hand. 

Saul. 
Now of a truth I know thou shalt prevail. [Ex/i. 

David. 
Up, brethren, we will go into our land. 
Yet we do ever walk before the sword. 
That will not sleep in Saul's unresting hand. 

[Exeunt 



8o King Saul. 

Scene II. — A Field and a Wood near Gibeah. 
{Enter David and Jonathan, meeting?) 

David. 
O Jonathan, my friend, much I rejoice 
To see thy face again ! 

Jonathan. 

And I in thee : 
And yet I tremble at thy peril here. 

David. 
What have I done } What is my sin against 
Thy father, that he seeks to take my life } 

Jonathan. 
Nay. God forbid, thou shalt not die. Behold, 
My father will do nothing, either great 
Or small, but he will show it me ; and why 
Should he hide this from me .'' It is not so. 

David. 
Thy father certainly doth know that thou 
Art pleased with me, and he saith, " Let us keep 
This thing from Jonathan, lest he be grieved." 
But truly as God liveth, and thy soul 
Doth live, there's but a step 'twixt me and death. 

Jonathan. 
Whatever thou desirest, I will do 
For thee. 

David. 

Perchance thy father's heart may now 
Relent toward me, that I again may see 



King Saul. 8i 

My widowed wife, and dwell amidst my race 
In peace. Behold, to-day is the new moon, 
And thoa wilt sit beside the king at meat. 
But let me go that I may hide myself 
Till night. Do thou then speak to him for me. 
If he say, " Well," thy servant shall have peace : 
But if he then be very wroth, be thou 
Assured that evil is resolved by him. 
Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy friend ; 
For thou hast made a covenant with me 
Before the Lord. Yet, if there be in me 
Iniquity, slay me thyself; for why 
Should'st thou deliver me unto the king ? 

Jonathan. 

Far be it from me ! If I surely knew 
That evil were determined by my sire, 
Would not I tell it thee ? 

David. 

But who shall tell me ? 
Or what if he should roughly answer thee ? 

Jonathan. 

When I have sounded Saul, my sire, behold, 
If there be good toward David, and I then 
Send not to thee and show it unto thee, 
The Lord do so and more to Jonathan. 
But if my father still is bent on ill. 
Then I will show it thee, that thou may'st go 
In peace. The Lord be with thee as he hath 
Been with my sire. Not only while I live 
Shalt thou show me thy love, that I die not. 



82 King Saul. 

But also thou shalt not withdraw thy love 
For ever from my house ; not even when 
The Lord hath cut off every foe of thine 
From off the earth. Now let us here renew 
Our covenant. Eternal friendship swear 
Between thy house and that of Jonathan. 

David. 
The Lord require it of mine enemies, 
If David be not true to thee and thine. 

Jonathan. 
O, swear again ! God knoweth that I love thee 
As mine own soul ; for it is knit with thine. 

David. 
If I forget thee, O my friend, let God 
Forget me, and blot out my name forever. 

Jonathan. 
Now hide thyself by yonder cliff, and I 
Will go to test my father. I will shoot 
Three arrows on the side, as though I shot 
A mark, and I will send a lad and say, 
" Go find the arrows." If I expressly say 
Unto the lad, " They're on this side of thee," 
Then do thou come : for there is peace to thee. 
But if I say unto the youth, " Behold, 
The arrows are beyond thee," go thy way. 
Thus shalt thou know my father's mind toward thee. 
As to our sacred covenant, behold, 
The Lord be judge 'twixt thee and me forever. 

{Exit Jonathan. 
{David hides hifnself.) 



King Saul. 83 

{Enter Abiier and Is/idos/ietk.) 
ISHBOSHETH. 

Abner, thou seest that my father's mind 
Is sore disquieted because of David, driven 
This way and that by gusts of hate and envy, 
While in brief cahns the sun of reason shines 
Dim, struggling forth, but to be darkened soon 
By fiercer blasts. As one pursues a shadow, 
So does he chase the phantom of his fear, 
That yet eludes his grasp. Sure such a king 
Is not the man to rule o'er Israel ! 
My brother Jonathan thou lovest not. 
And knowest that his heart is not with us— 
A traitor to his father's house. Where now 
Are all thy promises to turn the hearts 
Of Israel toward me, that I may rule. 
Who only of the house of Saul am worthy .? 

Abner. 
Impatient youth, dost thou not see 
That all things work according to my words ? 
Thy father's mind will not forget its rage 
That leads him to his fall, while I am near ; 
Meanwhile thy brother's shame and thy great worth 
I constant keep before the people. Now 
Restrain thy chafing mind, and soon will come 
The day for action and for manly deeds. 

ISHBOSHETH. 

Fierce war is my abhorrence. I do loathe 
The clash of arms, the sight of blood and death ! 
Leave that to grosser souls ; my tastes, refined, 
Do not delight in those revolting scenes. 
Give me the court, with wine and women's cheer. 



84 King Saul. 

Abner, 

Remain, then, here, amidst thy concubines, 
And I will do this work for thee. But know 
Thy sister, first, must be my rich reward. 
And do not thou forget to rouse the king 
To constant sense of my just claim for her. 

ISHBOSHETH. 

Rely on me for that. My sister, since 
Her first mad stand against her father's will. 
Hath been more yielding to her fate. Now, since 
She thinks her youthful husband slain, she asks 
Her days of mourning first to be fulfilled 
Ere she become another's. Doubt not, then, 
She soon must yield and be thy bride. I go 
To work my part. The fitting time hath come, — 
The master-workman of all human plans. {Exit. 

Abner. 
Poor, plotting fool, away ! Go, drown thy soul 
In wine's red bowl, and waste thy worthless self 
In lust's foul snare. None are so blind as those 
Who see through others' eyes, who only look 
Upon the images of things, and think 
That others' thoughts reflected are their own. 
Thus, when I show this fop the magic glass 
Of flattery, he deems the image there 
His own ; that he is fit to follow Saul ; 
And straightway plots against his sire ; but works 
All to my end. A royal bride soon mine, 
The distraught king dethroned or dead, the hearts 
Of Israel estranged from Jonathan, 
Or, if need be, his life cut off— what then 



King Saul. 85 

Shall bar the path of Abner to the throne ? 

This villain's but the step by which I mount. 

But Jonathan appears, and I will haste 

To move the king to new designs of ill. {^Exit. 

{Enter Jonathan with bow and arrows, accompanied by a lad.) 

Jonathan. 

Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. 

(As the lad runs, shoots an arrow beyond hijn.) 
Hath not the arrow gone beyond thee } Haste, 
Sta}^ not. 

{The lad gathers the arrows, and returns to Jonathan^ 
Go carry them into the city. 
{Gives hifn the bow a?id arrows.) 

David. 

{Coming from the wood, and bowing to the earthy 
Now let thy servant die, even at thy feet ! 

Jonathan. 
No ; rise, my well-beloved friend. {Embracing David:) 

David. 

I know 
The sign ; we part, and hope is dead. 

Jonathan. 

My soul 
Is grieved for thee, my friend, even unto death. 

David. 
Is there no hope .-^ Am I an exile doomed } 

Jonathan. 
Yea, and I, too, have suffered for thv sake. 



86 King Saul. 

David. 

The Lord forbid that thy pure soul should feel 
One pang because of me. 

Jonathan. 

The hearts of friends 
Cannot diversely feel one sorrow. Yet, 
E'en more than mine own grief my soul feels thine, 
I spake unto the king for thee ; but even 
The mention of thy name inflamed his wrath, 
Like fire applied to ripened sheaves of grain, 
That instant burn in spreading conflagration. 
Even so burst forth his rage. Like senseless fire, 
Attacking that most near, he seized a spear, 
And hurled it at my breast, with angry words 
Opprobrious, such as no man can bear, 
Even from his sire. In anger fierce I rose. 
I will no more sit at his board. And now 
I haste, my friend, to bid thee go in peace. 

David. 

My brother, now thy words are justified, 
And God will honor thee to time's last day. 
The truest friendship known to men shall be 
Even as the love of Jonathan to David. 
And I must leave thee ! yea, and my poor wife, 
And life itself, shut out from all that makes 
Existence blest. O, as thou lovest me, 
Be thou her shield. Assure her that I live, 
And only when I cease to live, shall cease 
To love. Beware of cunning Abner ; know 
That he some evil plots against thy house, 
And my sweet bride. Is there a God on high, 



King Saul. 8/ 

That lets the wicked go unpunished thus, 
Forgets the just, and leaves this tangled maze 
Of good and evil here to work its own 
Adjustment ! O, had I the power that rules 
This world one day, swift vengeance should o'ertake 
The wicked in his path, and many wrongs 
Be righted ! 

Jonathan. 
God forgive thy soul's mad cry, 
And teach thee soon to know his way. 

David. 

One friend, 
One refuge, only have I left. I flee 
To Samuel, the prophet, whose strange words 
First called me forth to meet this host of ills. 

Jonathan. 
The Lord go with thee, forasmuch as we 
Have sworn both in his name, and said, "The Lord 
Shall be 'twixt me and thee, between my seed 
And thine forever." Go in peace. 

. David. {E77ibracmg kzm.) 

God knows 
If I may ever see thy face again. 
O Jonathan, my friend, my friend, farewell. 

Jonathan. 
Fear not ; thou yet shall reign o'er Israel, 
And I shall be next unto thee. Farewell ! 

[^Exemtt. 



88 King Saul. 

Scene ///.— Naioth in Ramah. — Dwelliiig of the prophet 
Samuel. 

Samuel. {Praying:) 
How long, O Lord, how long, wilt thou withdraw 
Thyself from Israel, and leave thy name 
Un honored and unknown ? The rayless earth 
Swings black in sin, unlighted by one beam 
From thy bright throne : and men forget, while clouds 
Obscure the sun, that his great orb still rolls 
On high. Thus Israel remembers not 
Thy mighty acts ; thine outstretched arm, that smote 
The land of Egypt, brought them forth, and led 
Them through the parted sea with flame and cloud 
To Sinai, where thou didst thunder forth 
Thine everlasting law. Thy chastisements 
And mercies all disdained, this people ask 
The Lord of heaven and earth to quit his throne, 
And choose an earthly king. The holy ark 
Of thine almighty presence Hes in dust, 
Unhonored and unseen. Thine altar fires 
Ascend no more : the voice of those that call 
Upon the Lord is heard not in the land. 
Him whom thou bad'st me call to rule our race, 
On whom the consecrating oil was poured. 
Cast out from men, now wanders forth to die, 
Accursed. Thy servant, I that early heard 
Thy voice and hast so long beheld thy power, 
Am now of no avail, and hear thy voice 
No more. Forgot by those I served, I die. 
O God, dost thoii still live.'* Hast thoji forgot 
Thy prophet } Grant one boon, one sign that thou 
Dost live and rule on earth. O, let mine eyes 
Behold my heart-son, David, ere they close 



King Saul. 89 

Forever. Then, O take thy servant home, 
For whom thou hast no use on earth. 
{Ejiter David.) 

He comes ! 
Mine eyes have seen the promise of the Lord ! 
Now lettest thou thy servant go in peace. 

David. 
O man of God, behold thy work ! Undo 
Thine acts, recall thy words. Curse me instead ! 
Thy blessing is more heavy than thy curse. 
Thy chrism, poured upon my head, hath proved 
A flood of evils. Take again thy gift ! 

Samuel. 
My son, my son ! my prayer to God hath been 
To see thy face before I die ! And now 
Thou comest to reproach. Our granted prayers 
Oft prove the chastisement we need. Thy voice, 
My heart long yearned to hear, now utters words. 
That grieve my soul, and show the prophet's work 
Is vain, thyself unfit for thine high calling. 
Yet it was not my will, but God's, called thee ; 
I, the unwilling instrument. And thou 
Reproachest Go"d ! Yet, since thou art his choice, 
Thou must have worth which these poor, human eyes 
Cannot discern. 

David. 
My father, I have sinned 
Against thee and high Heaven, and am indeed 
Not worthy to be called to this great work. 
If possible let this preferment pass. 
But if I must be great, let me abide 
The test of preparation. If by me 



90 King Saul. 

Must Righteousness and Truth be born to men, 
O, give the strength to bear the great conception. 
Thrice happy he whose part it is to serve ; 
An5 humblest, most oppressed, is he who stands 
Before the people, next to God. 

Samuel. 

My son, 
Now do mine eyes behold thy nobleness 
Of soul, the wisdom of the choice of God. 
Thy coming is the proof to me he lives 
And reigns on earth. 

David 

Doth his o'erruling hand 
Descend to me and interfere in this 
Concourse of evils for my good .•* 

Samuel. 

The course 
Of Israel displays at every step 
The trace of God's direct design and rule 
O'er nations and o'er men. Thyself shalt be 
The greatest witness to the end of time. 
God's call ; this ministry of suffering ; 
Plis heavy hand constraining in the way; 
His rod and wondrous mercy leading on 
To glory and dominion without end, 
Shall make thy name a dazzling monument. 
Gleaming adown the ages with the fact 
Of Providence Divine in human life. 

David. 
But now, my foes are more than I can meet ; 
A step will bring me to my grave. 



King Saul. 91 

Samuel. 

Fear not : 

The seed of God's selecting he will keep ; 

And fiercest winds shall drive to richest soil, 

Where it shall grow to its appointed strength. 

God's will moves on through evil and through good, 

And worms and worlds alike are crushed before 

His mighty step. 

David. 

If God be on my side, 

Who can prevail against me ? Come, then, wars 

And woes, like the great deluge come ! Come, Saul, 

Thy royal wrath pour on my head. -Let all 

The world combine to crush. The will of one 

Brave man, clothed on with justice, armed with truth, 

Inspired by Heaven's approving voice within, 

Must rise and rule triumphant over all. 

{Enter attendant prophet^ 

Attendant. 
The servants of the king ! 

Samuel. 

Let them come in. 
Why come they now whom I have not beheld, 
Since, flying from the king's displeasure, here 
I came to end in solitude my days } 

David. 
Perchance Saul seeks me here. O, holy man. 
Let not distress fall on thy whitened head 

Through me. 

Samuel. 

My son, I do God's work, and leave 
The consequence with him. Distress or joy 



9^ King Saul. 

Or life or death, are not our care. Be true, 
Do right, and happiness or grief seek not 
Nor shun. • They are unworthy of thy thought. 
{Enter messengers of the king.) 

Messenger. 
The king desires thy presence at the court. 

Samuel. 
Why doth the king of Israel send for me, 
A powerless old man long since cast off .^ 

Messenger. 
His mind is sore disturbed because of David. 
His enemies begin to press around : 
His counselors and prophets fail, and now 
He turns, as to a last resource, to thee, 
His only friend and advocate with God. 

Samuel. 
Then let him come to me. I wish for naught 
The king can give. He only that seeks not 
To rise can walk erect, and need not crawl 
To any man for favors. 

Messenger. 

Dost thou dare 
Deny the king's request } 

Samuel. 

Who is the king, 
That he should be obeyed t 

Messenger. 

The people's choice, 
The law personified, the man ordained 
By right divine to rule on earth. 



King Saul. 93 

Samuel. 

The curse 
Of men, the breaker of the highest law, 
Usurper of God's throne, which he would fain 
Transmit with his bad blood to baser sons. 
Set up again your golden calf ! bow down 
To that ; 'twill do less ill, and will not breed 
Its costly kind. 

Attendant Prophet. 

The king himself appears ! 

David. 
Thrice have I 'scaped his hand. Here must I fall 
At last, beneath the mantle of the man 
Of God who brought on me these ills. 

Samuel. 

Nay, nay. 
Where is thy nev/-born faith } Thou shalt not die. 
This mantle rude about thee cast can shield 
Thee from thy foes, though they be many as 
The sons of earth, and great as those that drew 
Strong sustenance from her young breast, before 
The floods had furrowed it. But now withdraw, 
For I will meet the king alone. 

David. 

Let me be near 
To succor thee at need, O holy man. 

Samuel. 
The Lord hath no demand for sword and spear : 
The arm of flesh is dust before him. Go. [Ex/f David. 
So is thy servant, Lord. Grant me thy strength. 



94 King Saul. 

{Enter Said and attendants?) 

Saul. 
O Samuel, I come to ask thee now 
To turn again with me and intercede 
In my behalf. 

Samuel. 

What ! hath thy trouble come, 
That thou dost seek the Lord } There's naught like 

grief 
To make mankind remember God. 

Saul. 

My soul 
Is sore disquieted by cares within 
And enemies without. Hast thou no love 
For Israel, that thou car'st not what foes 
Assail her gates } 

Samuel. 

Thy sins, unworthy king, 
Have brought these evils on our race. Alas ! 
The many innocent must feel the wrongs 
Of evil doers in high places. Thou, 
Exalted high as heaven, shalt be cast down 
To hell. Through disobedience and pride 
The gift of God made wreck — thy power to bless 
Thy people, honor God, and leave a name 
High o'er all rulers, cast away — King Saul 
Shall be to latest day of time, a name 
Conspicuous for good to evil turned, 
As his who walketh up and down the earth. 
To seek revenge for his great fall from heaven. 

Saul. 
Hath not thy God a place for pardon left ? 



King Saul. 95 

Samuel. 
He can forgive, but not undo. For God 
Himself cannot recall the past. Thine act 
Performed, is done, and stands forever linked 
With its reward of evil or of'good. 
The rock worn by the dashing waves, still bears 
Their impress, though they long have ceased to roll. 
Thou hast rejected God, and he hath cast 
Thee down from being king. 

Saul. 

I am thy king, 
And thou shalt go with me. 

Samuel. 

I will not go 
Nor stay with thee, thou son of Belial, doomed ; 
Command thy slaves as wicked as thyself : 
But know that I, who made thee king, owe not 
Allegiance to any earthly power. {Turns to go.) 

Saul. 
Call on thy God. He shall not rescue thee 
Now from my hand. 

{Seizes the prophet's robe, which in the struggle is torn?) 

Samuel. 

As thou hast rent this robe, 
So hath God rent the kingdom from thy hand, 
And given it to a worthier than thou, 
Even to thy neighbor, David. 

Saul. 

What ! am I 
To be forever haunted by that name, 



96 King Saul 

That rouses all the demons in my breast ! 

Must I be taunted with thy prophecies, 

To which I owe all this unrest ! False seer, 

On thee shall fall the merit of thy deeds. 

In vain thy boasted aid. Thy God lives not, 

Or sits on high, untroubled by the strifes 

Of this small world. Seize him, my servants, true ; 

Teach him to show respect to them who rule. 

Samuel. 
Beware how thou call'st down the wrath of Heaven ; 
The priest of most-high God, himself the least 
Of human kind, is mightier through Him 
He serves, than all the kings that rule. Great God, 
Protect thy servant from this man ! 

Saul. 

Pray on. 
Old man ! Thy God is deaf, perhaps, or sleeps, 
Or is away. 

( To his attendants,) 

Seize him ! why stand ye there 1 
{Attendants advance toward Samuel.) 

Samuel. 
The power of the Lord be on ye ! Stand ! ( Tkey stop.) 
Fall ! {They fall upon their faces to the ground.) 

There lie groveling in your native dust ! 

Saul. 
Fiend ! sorcerer ! thy hellish arts may awe 
My slaves, but not the heart of royalty. (Draws his sword.) 
Now die ! {Advances upon him.) 



King Saul. 97 

Samuel. 

O, can the chosen of heaven become 
The prey of hell ! God's eye is on thy heart, 
And sees the blackness there ! 
{Saul quails before the prophet, and sinks slowly to the earth.) 

His lightning glance 
Reveals thy heart's deep horrors to thyself — 
And here thou hest, self-condemned, before 
The awful presence of the Just and Pure. 
O God, behold thy curse where once thou bad'st 
Me bless ; then take me from this sin-cursed earth. 

{Re-enter David.) 

David. 
O man of God, I come to die with thee. 

Samuel. 

Behold thine enemies beneath thy feet. 

Thus shall the Lord fulfill his words to thee, 

To put thy foes beneath thee, and exalt 

Thy throne above thy people, Israel. — 

My son, place now thine arm about my frame 

Worn out by time, and now by these events 

Exhausted quite. My failing breath comes slow ; — 

The days of Samuel are numbered. 

David. 

Nay, 
My father, live ! my only strength on earth, 
My light through which I see the hand above, 
The only light of God in this dark land, 
Leave not the world in nio:ht. 



98 King Saul. 

Samuel. 

God will not leave 
The earth with me, but will be seen through thee. 
In thine inspired words shall God-ward thoughts 
Of all men in all lands, and to all time, 
Find utterance sublime. 

David. 

My father, mine i* — 

Samuel. 
O, as life's blinding light fades from my sight, 
What wondrous scenes in time's vast heaven appear ! 
I see a glorious, majestic One arise, 
Like to the Son of God, and yet a man. 
A cloud of man's offenses gathers round ; 
The world becomes a cross, and falls on him ! 
He sinks — he rises — see ! is lifted up — 
Yea, on the cross ! It disappears, and lie 
Ascends to heaven. What sounds fall on mine ear } 
"Hosannas to the Son of David." Lord, 
O, take me now ! Mine eye hath seen, mine ear 
Hath heard what heart of man could ne'er conceive. 
Nor angel's tongue express. What blessedness 
To die within thine arms ! {^Dies. 

David. 

O, holiest man 
Of all this world, thou'rt gone, and earth is dark ! 
Whilst our poor eyes of clay see naught but clay. 
O, speak, dumb lips, unfold the mysteries 
Thou seest now. No more ! And now, alone, 
I wander forth, and leave thy dust with God, — 
And thee, great foe, in his avenging hand. \Exit, 



King Saul. 99 



ACT IV. 

Sce7ie I. — A Night Camp. — Saul, surrounded by his soldiers 
and officers, asleep. A spear standing at his bolster. 

{Enter David and Abishai.) 

David. 
Behold, here lies the king ! Deep sleep hath fallen 
On him, and on the men of Israel. 

Abishai. 
God hath this day delivered thy great foe 
Into thine hand. Now, therefore, let me smite 
Him with this spear, even to the earth at once, 
And I will smite, be sure, no second time. 

David. 
Destroy him not. For who can raise his hand 
Against the Lord's anointed without guilt } 
As the Lord liveth, He shall smite him ; soon 
His day shall come to die, or he shall fall 
In battle. But the Lord forbid that I 
Should stretch mine hand against him. I pray thee 
Take now the spear that stands beside his couch, 
And let us go. 

Abishai. ( Taking the spear. ) 
Thou yet wilt meet thy death 
At this man's hand. Why waste thine acts of good 
On those that turn again to do thee ill "^ 



lOO King Saul. 

David. 
Were he the vilest of the race of men, 
And tenfold more my foe, yet would I spare ; 
For vengeance is the Lord's. He will repay. 
Haste we to yonder cliffs. 

{They go out of the cainp, and ascetid a hill opposite. 
Calls to the king's oncers. ) 

Abner, awake ! 
Why sleepest thou } Dost thou not answer, Abner .^ 

Abner. {Awaki>ig.) 
And who art thou that criest to the king .? 

David. 
Is not Abner a brave man ! Who is like 
To thee in Israel ! And wherefore, then. 
Hast thou not kept thy lord the king .? Behold, 
There came one of the people in to slay 
The king. This is not good that thou hast done. 
Now, by the Lord, ye ought to die, because 
Ye have not kept your master, God's anointed. 
Behold, and now see where the king's spear is. 
That stood beside his couch to mark his place. 

Saul. 
Is this thy voice, David, my son, my son } 

David. 
It is my voice, my lord, O king. Wherefore 
Dost thou pursue thus after me, thy son } 
What have I done .? What ill is in my hand } 
Now, therefore, hear my words : If God have stirred 
Thee up against me, then let him accept 
An offering. But if the sons of men, 



King Saul. ioi 

Cursed be they, for they have driven me out 
From dwelling in the heritage of God. 
Now, therefore, let my blood not fall to earth 
Before the face of God. 

Saul. 

Yea, I have sinned. 
Return, my son, my son, for I will do 
Thee harm no more, because my life this day 
Was precious in thine eyes. Behold how I 
Have played the fool, and erred exceedingly. 

David. 
Behold thy spear ! Let one of the young men 
Come over and receive it. May the Lord 
Render to every man his righteousness 
According to his acts ; for as thy life 
Was precious in mine eyes this day, so let 
My life be precious in his sight ; let him 
Dehver me from all my tribulation. 

Saul. 
Blessed be thou, my son, David : thou shalt 
Both do great things, and also still prevail. 

Abner. 
O king, behold, he sought thy life, and I, 
Awaking, saved thee from his hand. 

Saul. 

Away ! 
Up, Israel, to your tents, for I will war 
No more against the blameless son of Jesse. 

( Exeunt Sau! ajid soldiers. 



102 King Saul. 

Abner. 
In vain, base-born, dost thou persuade the king, 
For thou shalt have no peace whilst Abner lives. 

David. 
False friend of Saul's, I know thy heart 
And all its dark designs, for thou dost plot 
Against the king thou claim'st to serv^e, and stirr'st 
His mind against the innocent. So may'st 
Thou fall by guile, and perish utterly. 

Abner. 
Abandoned by thy God, thy family 
And friends, worse than cut off art thou. 

David. 

Not so : 
God waiteth long, but never doth forget. 
And woman's love is mine beyond recall. 

Abner. 

A marvelous cheat is God — a fiction strange. 
Self-wrought, self-taught, and only half believed ; 
And woman's constancy's a thing of air. 

David. 
Son of the prince of hell, thou liest ! Thou 
Shalt own thy words, and thou, thyself, as false 
As fiends that rule thy breast. 

Abner. 

Deluded wretch, 
'Tis well thou art removed; or this sharp steel 
Would end thy foolish speech and life together. 
But words can slay more swift and sure than swords. 
Know, then, poor fool, thy boasted love is false. 



King Saul. 103 

The daughter of the king has cast thee off, 
And formed alliance with a man that knows 
Her worth, and how to profit by it. Thy wife 
Is mine ; I leave thee that. {^Exit. 

David. 

Come, all ye floods. 
And drown again the world ! Your mountains roll 
Upon this breast, for David is betrayed 
By her he loved. If woman be not true, 
There is no truth in God, and then no God. 
Then man hath no hereafter, life no worth, 
And I will cast it in the scale 'gainst death. 
Regardless which goes down. Mine eye shall see 
If this be true ; if truth be falsehood — love 
Be hate — risrht, wrons: — and virtue, vice — if all 
Distinctions be but names born of the dreams 
Of idle men, which they in pride to see 
Their vagrant offspring tricked thus fair, have raised 
Unto the skies, and hung upon the skirts 
Of an imagined, unseen God. Mine eyes 
Then having seen the sun from heaven fall, 
Thrice welcome death ! Lay this erected dust 
Low with its fellows. But if not true — not } 
God, can it be ! — Why does the anguished heart 
Invoke that name } What if there be a God 
Whom man made not, and man cannot destroy ! 

\ExiL 



I04 King Saul. 

Scene //.— Gibeah. — An apartment in the dwelling of the King, 
{Enter Sarah and Rachel?^ 

Rachel. 

How long, my sister, wilt thou mourn for him 
Who is no more, and grieve thyself for naught ? 

Sarah. 

Tell me how long the prisoner will sigh 
For liberty, the dungeon-bound for light. 

Rachel. 

The captive unto death finds no release ; 
The prisoner of the tomb sees light no more. 

Sarah. 

Perchance my husband lives, and shall I cease 
To sigh for his return, or lay aside 
My grief while doubtful is his fate } Alive, 
My heart wanders distressed with him ; or dead. 
Lies in his grave. 

Rachel. 

It is unseemly thus 
To cling to one cut off by God, and mock 
His purposes by wantonness of grief. 
Thou wrong'st thyself not to accept the means 
He gives for thy return to peace and joy. 

Sarah. 

How prone are we to cast our own ill deeds 
On God, and what our hearts desire account 
His providence ! 



King Saul. ^ 105 



Rachel. 



Thou dost not, then, reject 
The suit of Abner and his honored name ? 

Sarah. 
My days of mourning first must be fulfilled, 
Before I can again become a bride. 

Rachel. 
Thy days, according to our law, are full, 
And thou dost yet delay. Thy course, I think. 
My sister, is but a device by which 
To escape thy suitor's wish and Saul's command. 
Beware, frail woman, how thou dost defy 
The will of those whom God hath made our lords. 

Sarah. 
Degrade not His high name to uphold what 
The untutored soul knows to be false. That man, 
I tell thee now, shall never be my lord. 
My sister, as thou lovest me, let me 
Not hear his name again. 

Rachel. 

Wilt thou oppose 
All power and law, both human and divine ? 
The king commands ; it is thy country's voice. 
Thy father speaks ; it is the word of God. 

Sarah. 
Obedience to God and parents, learn 
We first with infant speech. But to each soul 
There comes a time when law divine must find 
Interpreter within. The truth of God 
Must come to us untainted by the touch 



io6 King Saul. 

Of any earthly vessel. That time has come. 
The law within my breast I must obey, 
And trust it will be found at one with God's. 

Rachel. 
I cannot tread this unknown way with thee. 

Sarah. 
Then I must walk alone. 

Rachel. 

Is this thy will .? 

Sarah. 
It surely is. 

Rachel. 
Wilt thou not be constrained ? 

Sarah. 
Not while my soul is free. 

Rachel. 

I weep for thee. 

Sarah. 
Go weep for those who, bound in willing chains, 
Condemn the heart's pure flame to die, unfed 
By streams of holiest love. 

Rachel. 

Dost thou refuse 
All sympathy ? 

Sarah. 
The sympathy of those 
Who cannot read the heart, can little soothe 
Its smart. 



King Saul. 107 

Rachel. 
Thou art my sister, then, no more : 
Since thou wilt rend kind nature's tie. 

Sarah. 

O, why 

Are kindred forms the homes of alien souls, 
That fly as far as earth is from the stars, 
To seek their kind ? 

Rachel. 
Since thou dost fly from me, 
Strange sister, I will leave thee to thy fate ; 
I hope thou may'st yet find thy chosen kind. 
For which thou shun'st thy kin. 

Sarah. 

May Heaven fulfill 
Thy words, and grant this weary, wandering heart 
Its long-sought rest ! 

Rachel. 

My sister, I am thine ! 
I will not leave thee desolate. What woes 
May come, they shall descend alike on both. 

Sarah. 
O, now thou art the sister of my heart ! 

{Enter ^aul, Abner, ajid attenda?tts.) 

Saul. 
My daughter, now the time gives no delay, 
That thou should'st hesitate to be the wife 
Of this brave, honorable man. Yield now, 
And add another cord unto my love, 
Another prop beneath my falling state. 



io8 King Saul. 

Sarah. 

Thou art my sire, and hast a parent's right ; 

I am thy child, and feel a daughter's love ; 

Thou art a king, and hast a sovereign's power ; 

I am a woman, and have a woman's heart. 

O, do not overstep the parent's right ; 

O, do not alienate a daughter's love ; 

Do not abuse thy Heaven-granted power ; 

O, then respect the woman's loving heart. 

I yield thee love, obedience, and trust : 

O, hear my prayer ; wrong not thyself and me. 

Saul. 

What mean those words ? Dost thou refuse to do 
My will ? 

Sarah. 

My father, thou dost know my heart 
Is his to whom thou gavest me, my young, 
My noble husband. 

Abner. 

Ah ! is that the cause 
Of all this wandering speech.? Know then, proud 

one. 
Thy shepherd spouse will come to thee no more ; 
For he is dead. 

Sarah. 

Dost know whereof thou speak'st ? 

Abner. 

As well as one may know what he has seen. 
He surely has gone down to lasting death. 



King Saul. 109 

Sarah. 

What ! David dead, and yet the world goes on ! 
Bright day succeeds black night ! Flowers bloom, 

birds sing ! 
All nature's heartless joy falls on the soul 
More heavy than the general wreck of worlds. 
The mighty millstones of the universe 
Grind on and on, and crush between our griefs 
And joys, that cannot jar the ponderous wheels 
In their eternal course. Are we then thrown 
'Midst an inexorable machine that hath 
No maker or controller ? Nay. The sun 
That changeless shines on tombs, is younger far 
Than I, and hath his day to fade from heaven. 
I love — and am immortal. This assurance 
In my breast links me with Him who stayed the sun 
For Joshua — whose every word and act 
Hath been but love since his creating breath 
Made us of him a part. The spirit rules ; 
And nature's use is but to body forth 
The world within. Love conquers all, and dies 
Only with God. My husband is not dead ! 

Saul. 

Alive or dead, he is no more thy husband. 
No longer vex mine ear with thy vain words. 
Prepare thyself to be the wife of him, 
To whom I am resolved to give thee now. 

Sarah. 

O God ! O David ! let me be with //lee. 
Come, take me in thy spirit-arms and bear 
Me to the tomb. Death, let me be thy bride, 



1 10 King Saul. 

That thus I may escape this Hving death 

Of wedlock without love. He comes ! he comes ! 

His shadow vails mine eyes. 

{Faints and is caught by Abner.) 

Abner. 

Some spirit strange, 
Most surely doth possess her. 

{Shouts ajid knockijig on the door without^ 

Saul. 

What means that noise } 
What evil now stands knocking at my gate } 

{Eiiter David under the guise of madness^ 

David. 
David is dead, and God is dead ! The world 
Is dead ! Ye all are ghosts that walk abroad 
Untombed ! Haste to your yawning graves ! — The 

sun 
Hath fallen out of heaven. — The moon is turned 
To blood. — The serpent hath betrayed the woman ; — 
She, all mankind ; — and there they are ! Ha ! ha ! 
The fruit is wondrous sweet. Come eat of it. 
But, ah ! the serpent's sting is at the core. — 
To hell,— to hell !— 

Sarah. {Recovering?) 
O God, is this the grave t 
Alas ! we live. — And thou 1 — art thou David } 

David. 
Away ! — touch not the dead. 



King Saul. i i i 

Sarah. 

O ! do I live ? 

David. 

'Tis thou hast slain me. Live, and be accursed ! 
The happy are the dead. 

Rachel. 

Stupendous wreck 
Of a most noble mind ! 

Abner. 

Saul, shall I slay him ? 

Saul. 

Ye see the man is mad. Why have ye brought 
Him in to play the madman in my sight ? 
Away with him. Bind him. Confine him where 
He will no more disturb my kingdom's peace, 
Or safety of my throne. The hand of fate 
Is surely turned, at last, against my foes. 

David. 

All men are mad ! I am less mad than thou 
That deem'st thyself a king. No royal crown 
Is on thy head ; no scepter in thy hand. 
Thou art the shadow of a king, from whom 
The substance of authority long since 
Hath fled away. 

Saul. 

No more ! Bind the madman ! 
Away with him ! 



112 King Saul. 

David. 
Which one ? Dost thou not see 
The sword that hangs above thy head ? Thy doom 
Is heavier than mine. I go to chains ; — 
But thou, to death. 

Abner. 

Are these a madman's words ? 

David. 
Thou serpent, to thy native sUme ! Thy trail 
Is over all this house. The charmed bird 
Lies quivering in thy folds. — Sweet thing, it once 
Was mine ! But now, — I'm mad ! I'm mad ! 

[Ex/i iLiith the guard. 

Saul. 

He's gone ; 
But heaviness remains upon my soul, 
That will not go. Women, leave us, leave us, 
For weightier matters now engage our thoughts. 

Sarah. 
God's vengeance fall on those that wrought this woe ! 

\Exeimt Sarah and Rachel. 

Abner. 

This wretch hath cast himself upon thy sword, 
O king ; but hold thy hand, and thou art rid 
Of him forever. 

Saul. 

Urged by fiends within. 
Confined by fates without, I dash myself 
In vain against th' invisible bars. Thy words 
Have brought me only ill. I will be led 
By them no more. 



King Saul. 113 

Abner. 
Had'st thou obeyed them all 
Thou would'st not now say this. 

Saul. 

I am the king 
That gives commands, and not he who obeys. 
Thou hast too far pushed on thy will, and I 
Will have no more of thine advice. Leave me ! 

Abner. 
This, this is the reward of those that serve 
Their king ! to hang upon his every word ; 
If he be sad, to mourn ; if he but smile, 
Rejoice ; to lose the birthright owned 
By meanest boor, and be no more a man ; 
Transformed into a vestment, fitted close 
Even to his leanness and deformity ; 
Then, in his service rent and worn, at last 
Cast off to beggars. Such is Abner now, 
And yet thine only shield against the blasts 
That howl about thy throne. O king, I go. 
' {Etiter jnessenger.) 

Messenger. 
O king, the valiant Jonathan, thy son, 
Sends greeting, and reports the foe is driven 
Before him. But still others gather round 
On every side, and threaten to devour 
Thy kingdom. As thick clouds of locusts come, 
Loud roaring, from the south, darkening the sun, 
And blasting, as by fire, whate'er they touch, 
So from Philistia thy swarming foes 
Press on, destroying as they come. Then haste 



114 King Saul. 

To summon all the hosts of Israel, 

Thy captains, and thine own unconquered might. 

Saul. 
No peace is mine ! I with my scepter took 
The sword, and lay it down only with life. 
Awake, then, war ! thou great destroyer, rage 
Till all our foes are in the dust. — My words 
Forgive, great Abner ; draw thy sword. 
Philistia shall tremble at thy shout, 
And Israel obey thy mighty voice. 

Abner. 

king, I take thee at thy royal word. 
And raise my arm again in thy defense. 

Saul. 

1 sorely am perplexed by all these ills, 

And seek in vain from prophet and from priest 
Direction for my steps in this dark hour. 
Know ye of one that hath o'er spirits power 
To draw from them forecast of great events ? 

Attendant. 
Thou hast cut off all wizards from the land ; 
Yet still, at Endor, doth a woman live 
Familiar with all spirits, who through them 
Doth know the curtained future as the past. 

Saul. 
Enough. Away ! I will to her, and then 
To war, whose thunder tones decide the fate 
Of nations and of men beyond dispute. 



King Saul. 115 

Scejie III. — Interior of the Hut of the Witch of 
Endor. — Instrinnetits of Divifiation and Necromancy 
scattered about. Night. 

Witch. 
False arts are powerless for aught but ill. 
I can call up the dead, but have no hold 
On life, to keep it in this withered frame. 
The dim and shadowy forms that fill my cell 
Cannot ward off life's ills or death's sure step. . 
The ghosts I summon up but mock my want, 
And have no power to dull fierce hunger's tooth. 
Though I can curdle up the blood with fear, 
I cannot move the heart. Though I have power 
O'er spirits of the air, of earth and hell. 
To call them up, I cannot call one shoot 
Of sweet, life-giving grain up from the earth. 
The unsubstantial visions of the brain 
Cannot supply the want of bread. All gifts. 
All insight, foresight, and all hidden lore, 
All mental powers, are weak, are worse than vain, 
Combined, against the stomach's ceaseless cry. 
Hence, idle arts ! Give me no thought but bread, 
No power but to gain it. 

{Enter Satil disguised, with two atienda?its.) 

Why seek ye 
My cell "i I am a woman, old and poor, 
And have nothing of worth to you. O, spare 
My life, 'tis all I have, a paltry thing, 
A grievous burden ; yet it hath so worn 
Its place into this frame, these weary years 
We have toiled on together, that I beg 
To bear it yet a little further on. 



ii6 King Saul. 

Before death cuts it loose above the grave. 
Take all, but spare my life. 

Attendant. 

Be silent, witch ! 
Saul. 
We seek no harm. I pray thee now divine 
To me by thy familiar spirit. Bring 
Him up to me whom I shall name to thee. 

Witch. 
Behold, thou knowest what King Saul hath done. 
He hath cut off out of the land all those 
That have familiar spirits, and all wizards. 
Wherefore, then, layest thou a snare for me, 
To cause my death .'* 

Saul. 

I swear, as God doth live. 
No punishment shall come to thee for this. 

Witch. 
Whom, then, shall I call up to thee ? 

Saul. ^ . 

Bnng up 

The prophet Samuel. 

Witch. 

Believest thou 
There is a power on earth to call the soul 
From its far resting-place back to its dust ? 

Saul. 
I know not, and care not what spell or power 
Of earth, or air, or hell, thou conjurest by ; 
But call him up whom I have named to thee. 



King Saul. 117 

Witch. 
It is a hard thing thou dost ask. But wait : — 
Ye viewless spirits of the wandering air, 
The all-engulfing, soundless, shoreless sea. 
Ye troubled spirits of a banished world, 
Pursued by fierce and vengeful fates through all 
The trackless spaces of the universe ; 
Ye ever-present powers whose breath we feel. 
But know not whence ye come or whither go, 
Who speak in summer winds, and thunder's roar, 
Smite with the whirlwind's unseen hand, and blast 
The earth by furnace-breath of dread simooms : — 
On ye, all-powerful ones, I call ; bring forth 
The dead. 

Saul. 
Thy conjuration is in vain. 
Extend thy wand o'er other powers. 

Witch. 

Awake, 
Ye slumbering demons of the earth and sea ; 
Forth from your hidden haunts and caverns come ! 
Ye that dwell in the bowels of the earth. 
Hard by the firm foundations of the hills. 
Where gleam broad seams of gold, with sparkling 

gems, 
And still more priceless iron's ruddy ore. 
With adamant, and sulphur that feeds fire 
To burning mountains : — Ye, all ye, that live 
Within the sea's dark depths, which sole defy 
The sun's all-piercing eye, where roll and fight 
Huge, unimagined monsters 'mid the broad, 
Deep pillars of the earth : — Ye that supply 



1 1 8 King Saul. 

The marvelous, unapprehended force 

Of all that lives and grows upon this globe, 

That pour th' unfailing streams of earth's life-blood 

Into the myriad molds of being; who 

Run to and fro upon the lightning's feet, 

Ministers of the fierce, far-working sun : — 

And ye whose combats burst the rock-ribbed sides 

Of this old, bellowing world : — ye I invoke 

From cavern and from deep ; from flaming mount ; 

From springs of Hfe ! By all your potent names, 

Give up the dead ! 

Saul. 

Yet he comes not, O witch. 
Am I to be thus foiled ? Call other powers, 
Yea, stir the depths of hell herself, but I 
Will be obeyed. Deceive me not, or die. 

Witch. 
Ye demons hot from hell ; by all your hate 
Of man and fear of God ; by your abode 
Fierce flaming with unquenched fires ; by pangs 
That pierce, and passions that consume, the soul ; 
By him that sits high on the throne of hell, 
Exalted by his miseries supreme ; 
By all the hosts from heaven fallen ; by all 
The damned souls of men dragged down from earth, 
And by the smoke of torment that ascends 
Forever — I conjure ye, yield the dead. 
Ye spirits of the air, demons of earth. 
And fiends of hell, conspire, combine your powers ; 
If in your vast domains, give up the soul 
For whom I call. My spells have never failed. 



King Saul. 119 

Mock me not now! unfold! bring forth! — In 

vain ! 
Then, spirits of the air, sweep me away ! 
Earth-demons, swallow up ! Hell-fiends embrace, 
And in your fiery arms bear to your flames ! 

Saul. 
Thy spirit-forces fail to bless or curse. 
The arm of flesh will strike more swift and sure ; 
One moment and it falls. Say if there be 
One other power which thou hast not invoked : 
Speak quick, or meet thy fate. 

Witch. 
There is one name. 
More dread, more powerful than all combined ; 
A name that I have never dared to breathe. 
Thou dost compel ; on thee be all the event. 
That awful name, high over earth and hell 
And heaven, I now invoke : Jehovah, God 
Of Israel — 

Saul. 
Speak not that dreadful name ! 

Witch. 
On thee I call. Bring forth the slumbering dead. 
{Spirit forms rise and disappear?) 

Ye gods ! — back ! back ! Saul, why hast thou de- 
ceived me.? 
Thou art the king. 

Saul. 
Woman, be not afraid : 
What sawest thou "i 



I20 King Saul. 

Witch. 
I saw the gods ascending 
Out of the earth, and one — 

Saul. 

What form hath he ? 

Witch. 
Behold, an old man cometh up : he wears 
The prophet's mantle. 

{Ghost of Samuel ri'ses^ 

Saul. 
Yea, 'tis he ! 'tis he ! 

Ghost. 

Why hast thou called me up from death's long 
rest } 

Saul. 
I sorely am distressed. Philistia 
Makes war against my country, and the Lord 
Deserteth me, and answereth me no more 
By prophets nor by dreams ; I have called thee 
Therefore, that thou may est make known to me 
What I shall do. 

Ghost. 
Wherefore, then, dost thou ask 
Of me, seeing the Lord is turned from thee, 
And is become thine enemy } 

Saul. 

O, speak. 
Great shade of him that was the voice of God ; 



King Saul. 121 

Break not the silence of the tomb for naught ; 
Thou, first of buried men to visit earth. 
By Him who bade thee rise, reveal my fate, 
Make known the issue of this threatening cloud 
That hovers o'er our land. Dread prophet, speak ! 

Ghost. 
The Lord has done to thee as I declared ; 
For he hath rent the kingdom from thy hand 
And given it to thy neighbor, even David. 
Because thou hast not heard the voice of God, 
Nor executed his fierce wrath decreed 
'Gainst Amalek ; therefore hat.h he done this 
To thee this day. Moreover, know that God 
Will also give up Israel, with thee, 
Into the hand of their Philistine foes. 
To-morrow thou shalt be with me ! Thy sons, 
And thou — with me. {Descends. 

Saul. {Falling on hzsface.) 

O God, is this the end ! 

Attendant. 
Long abstinence has taken away his strength, 
And now this fearful sight o'ercomes him quite. 

Saul. 
O, spirit dread, shade of the just, stay, stay ! 
Reverse thy words : recall my doom. O, let 
Me live to rectify my wrongs. O thou, 
That from the grave dost utter Heaven's decrees, 
Rise, rise again to bless, as in my youth. 
O, reverend shade, speak comfort to thy son. 



122 King Saul. 

August and awful majesty of death, 
The heart of Saul is turned to dust before thee ; 
Pierce not my soul with that cold, fixed look ; 
Those deep and solemn tones that sound my knell. 
Dread vision, change thine aspect stern ; O, speak 
Again and tell me all is not yet lost. 

Witch. 

king, rise, eat, I pray, and be sustained. 

Saul. 

1 will not eat till I again behold 

This spirit of the dead, and hear his voice. — 
Rise, rise, great one ! By Him who conquers death 
I bid thee break again his bonds ; come forth ! 
I pray — implore thee — come ! speak, speak again ! 

{Ghost of Sajmiel again 7'ises) 
He comes ! Prophetic, dreadful ghost ! He speaks. 

Ghost. 
To-morrow shalt thou be with me — with me ; — 
Thou and thy sons, with many valiant souls 
Of Hebrews slain, shall then go down to death, 
And be in spirit-world with me — with me ! 
{Descends slowly^ 

Saul. 
Back to the shades of death, thou perjured ghost ; — 
Thou liest ! Go breathe damnation on the lost, 
Thou fiend that steal'st a saintly garb to mask 
Thy damning deeds ; but come not here to curse. 
Down to thy native hell, false spirit, down ! 
My soul is proof against thy fiendish arts. 
I fear thee not, nor him who sent thee here. 
Yea, summon all thy hell-born host ; call up 



King Saul. 123 

Thy spirit powers ; I do defy them all. 
Saul, king of Israel, dies in his time. 
By mortal hand, in strong, death-dealing fight, 
And fears not all the incorporeal shapes 
That dwell beneath the earth. Back to the prince 
Of hell, and say he lies. Or if the King 
Of heaven have sent thee here to harrow up 
My soul, even though thou be the shade of him 
Who told me true on earth, I brave ye all. 
Yea, rear before mine eyes the awful form 
Of death. The phantom, vast, obscure, and dread ; 
With vain, imagined terrors clad, and armed 
With darts forged of the fears of timid souls, 
Seen nigh, cannot appal heroic hearts. 
His shafts fall idle at my feet. I fear 
Thee not, all conquering one. Yea, gloom on me ! 
O'erwhelm me 'neath the shadow of thy wings. 
Terrific shape ; I meet thee, face to face, 
And scorn thy boasted powers. To-morrow ? Now, 
This moment, come ; here we will wage our fight 
For my poor soul, conspired against by heaven 
And hell ; though doomed and damned, yet not dis- 
mayed. 
Yea, here, I yet defy hell, heaven, and death ! 
{Falls to the earthy 



124 King Saul. 



ACT Y. 

Scene I. — A Dungeon. — David confined. 
David. 
Not dead, yet buried from the sight of men. 
Not mad, yet suffering woes and wrongs to make 
Pale reason reel and totter from her throne. 
Would that this fervid brain might melt, which yet 
Will not dissolve. O, how the soul doth love 
Her wretched tenement, whence every joy 
Hath fled, where howling winds of adverse fate 
Come rushing through a hundred crevices, 
And shout their dirges round its barren walls ! 
Would I could rend this robe of flesh, that clogs 
My fierce desire ! But nature hath so knit 
Its seams, and joined the soul by living cords 
To every part, that she resents each rude, 
Unkind approach, and makes man powerless 
To raise destroying hands against himself 
The current of young life flows on too strong 
To be dammed up by early griefs, and not 
Till it hath been diverted and drunk up 
By many woes can it be rudely stayed. 
He who hath locked the soul within this cell 
Doth hold the key, and only from without 
Can it be turned to set the spirit free. 
So must I wait his time, e'en though my soul 
Doth beat against its walls, as I against 
These dungeon bars, while yet my enemies 
Without retain the key. But hark ! it grates : 
It turns ! Who comes } {Enter Sarah.) 



King Saul. 125 

Sarah. 

I come, dear stricken one, 
To bring thee hence. 

David. 

'Tis thou that brought me here ! 
Hence from my sight, thou Uving lie, that makes 
Fair truth herself a fraud ; that blots the sun 
Out of the sky, drags God from heaven, and sends 
Despairing man, blind, groping through the world 
To find his rest, a miserable grave ! 
Go, join with sin, and propagate perdition ! 

Sarah. 
O ! do I hear ? does David speak these words. 
That pierce my bruised heart } God, how have I 
Offended thee, that this, thy heaviest stroke, 

Should fall on me ! 

David. 

Dost ask what thou hast done ? 
Behold ! Thy husband, young, and fair, and true, 
Thou hast betrayed, and given thyself to one 
Warped, blasted to the heart, by blights of sin. 
O reason, virtue, love, doff these fair shapes ! 
Stand as ye are — the hollow snares by which 
Deluded men are dragged to hell. 

Sarah. 

No more : 
Such madness doth possess thy mind. 

David. 

I speak 
Not now the words of frenzy, but of fact. 
Mine eyes have seen what I declare. 'Tis thou 
7\rt mad ; — and yet I know weak woman's love 



126 King Saul. 

Of power. Her bosom, stirred by every breath 
Of love, cannot retain its impress long, 
But shows the image of each passing cloud. 

Sarah. 
Doth reason creep back to her shattered seat ? 

David. 
I am not mad. God grant I were, that thus 
I might forget the falsehood fair before me ! 

Sarah. 

Heaven, sustain my soul ! O David, dear, 
Dear one, let me speak to thy hearing mind. 

1 yet am thine, and wholly thine, as true 

As when I gave thee safe escape, and spared 

Myself for thee at peril of my life. 

Dost hear .? Believe ? The daughter of King Saul 

Is made of that true stuff that knows no fear, 

No law, but love. I live, and living must 

Be true. Then do not kill me with a doubt. 

David. 
Doubt thee ! thou truest, best of woman kind ! 
'Tis I should die for having doubted thee. 
O, madman that I truly was ! O, fool ! 
To be thus duped. O, villain ! thus to add 
One pang to thine all-suffering soul ; — and all 
For me ! O, hate me! give one word, one look, 
To show thou seest my unworthiness. 

Sarah. 
O, worthiest, noblest son of Israel, 
Now are my tears and sorrows all forgot, 



King Saul. 127 

To know thou livest and thy reason rules. 

Whilst thou wast gone, my life was one long, fierce 

Death-struggle with the powers of earth and hell ; 

A wandering lone and comfortless in night ; 

A groping, falling, struggling through the waste, 

Unlighted by one ray, save of the far. 

So distant stars, that told of something fixed 

Above this fleeting world. But now, with thee, 

The full-orbed sun is risen ; and the stars 

Withdraw, for night is changed to day. O, day 

Made bright, most glorious, by the clouds that 

hung 
Above the eastern mountain tops, and draped 
Its morning. Live, sweet, lowly germ of love ; 
Creep toward the light. The sun, thy bridegroom, 

comes 
And clothes thee in the green robes of rejoicing. 

David, 
My beauteous star, thou art more firmly fixed 
Than all the everlasting spheres on high. 
Woman is true. God reigns, and life hath yet 
A purpose grand, linked with his vast designs, 

Sarah. 
Now go ; since God doth order all thy ways, 
I do not fear ; and love's true monitor 
Whispers within our parting will be brief. 
The whirlwind of God's providence comes on ; 
And when the fiery blast hath passed away, 
What prostrate and consumed, and what erect 
Unscathed, will show the hiding of his power 
And will. 



128 King Saul. 

David. 
Let, then, the tempests rage, and burn 
Whate'er created thing, or beast, or man, 
Earth's bosom holds. Let this majestic firmament 
Be rent ; the pillars of the deep be moved ; 
And this brave, solid earth tremble and reel ; 
Yet will not I be moved ; I hold God's hand. 

Sarah. 
My husband, as thou standest here, I see 
Thy form expand until it reaches heaven. 
The ages past are gathered in one hand. 
While from the other flows eternal truth 
To all the unborn years. The things of God 
Are much too high for me ; my love to him 
Goes up through thee. O ! blest be human love ; 
Without which love divine would fail to find 
An entrance into human hearts ! 

David. 

And blest 
Be woman ! without whom, virtue, truth, and all 
Things fairest, best, would want a living form 
In mind of man, by which to be expressed. 
Thus woman, man, and God, are three in one. 

Sarah. 
And being one, cannot be put apart 
By life or death, things past or things to come. 
Thine outward form now goes far from my sight. 
Yet to my heart thou ever wilt be near. 

David. 
Again I go ; but never went man forth 
To war with life's stern facts more strongly armed 



King Saul. 129 

Than with unshaken trust in God and faith 
In woman. ^Exit. 

Sarah. 

Break, break, ye prison walls ! sink, fall, 
Fade into viewless air ! so vain are ye. 
So powerless to bind the will of man. 
From dungeon walls have risen, and will rise. 
More souls to thrones on high, and in the hearts 
Of men, than from all ranks of power on earth. 
For time is long, life short, and God is just. \^Exii. 



Scetie II. — A Battle Field. — Enter Jonathan with soldiers, 

Jonathan. 
O ! that David or the king would come ! In vain, 
Brave sons of Israel, do ye oppose 
This swelling host. For every infidel 
Struck down, a hundred rise to take his place. 
The enemies of God are more than they "' 

That be with us. But were great David here, 
Whose arm laid low Philistia's boasted strength, 
Before his battle shout and mighty hand 
The routed foe would flee like frightened sheep ; 
And we, led on by his God-guided feet. 
Would sweep away this horde like locust swarms 
Driven by the sharp east wind into the sea. 
Why hath the king thus cast away the strength 
Of Israel, his kingdom's brightest shield } 
Why yet delays to meet his country's foes, 
With Abner and his mighty men to rush 
Into the battle-breach 1 Gird up your hearts ! 
If few, the firmer must we stand. A host 



130 King Saul. 

Is every man whose soul is undismayed. 
{Enter soldier.) 

Soldier. 
A band of troops, great captain, come, led on 
By one, tall, towering o'er the rest, who seems, 
By his proud step and martial mien, a chief 
Of warlike lust, who scents the battle smoke 
Like lion ragin'g for his nightly prey. 

Jonathan. 
It must be, — yea, it is, — the king. 

{Enter Said, Abner, officers, aiid soldiers^ 

Saul. 

My son, 
My royal son, more princely in thy deeds 
And noble soul than in thy name, receive 
My thanks for thy brave stand against our foes. 

Jonathan. 
My father and my king, I have but done 
My due to thee, our country, and our God. 

Saul. 
Let me not hear that name. We wage this vvar 
Without his aid ; yea, even against his power. 

Jonathan. 
He that hath brought us to this promised land. 
And given it us for an inheritance, 
Will not now drive his people forth accursed. 

Saul. 
My son, the prophet from beyond the grave 
Hath spoken, and declared that Israel 



King Saul. 131 

This day shall be delivered to their foes. 
And we, both thou and I, go down to death. 

Jonathan. 
No prophet of the Lord could speak such words. 

Saul. 
Be it God's voice, or lying spirit sent 
To quell my soul, it still is powerless 
To move my heart or change my fixed resolve. 
Let others rush to war impelled by lust 
Of power, promotion, or renown ; led on 
By hope's alluring voice, that sings of fame 
And honor dear to all true men ; inspired 
By country's stirring call ; sustained by prayers 
Of priests and promises of victory, 
Rewards beyond the grave, and monuments, 
And grateful memory in the hearts of men : 
But I go forth to war with fate foretold, 
To known defeat, disgrace, and doom of death ; 
The curse of God still ringing on my ears, 
While from afar the voice of unborn men 
Comes up to execrate the name of Saul. 
O, could I meet my foes ! Would the viewless shapes 
That hover round to baffle and defeat 
Assume a form that might be seen and touched, 
Though grim, gigantic, armed with nameless powers 
And terrors strange, yet should they feel the stroke 
Of this keen sword. O ! could I strike down through 
The ranks of time, and still the chiding voice 
Of years to come, then could I die content. 
But I will die a free, unconquered soul. 
Lead on, that I may face my mortal foes. 



132 King Saul. 

On them shall fall the vengeance, hate, and all 
The pent-up wrath and wrongs that fire my soul. 
Woe, woe to him of woman born that meets 
My sword this day ! Lead on ! 

Jonathan. 

No fear of death 
Shall clog my soul in its firm, onward march 
To the trumpet-call of country, king, and God. 
Great deeds shall this dark day be wrought, wherewith 
The utmost corridors of time shall ring. 

Abner. 

If these strange prophecies be true, the sun 

That sets this day shall see my star arise. {^Exeunt. 



Scene I/I, — ANOTHER part of the Battle-field.— 5^/^«^j 
of battle in the distance, gradually drawing Jiear. 

{Enter a band of Philistines, pursued by Jonathan and soldiers^ 

Jonathan. 

On, on brave sons of Jacob ! In the name 
Of Israel's God, pursue the flying foe ; 
Leave not a remnant of the accursed race 
On earth. Press on ! The victory is ours. [Exeunt. 
{Enter Abner and soldiers, pursued by the enemy.) 

Abner. 

Ye recreant sons of Jacob, halt ; stand fast. 

'Tis ye should be pursuers, not pursued 

By your oft-conquered foe. 

[Exeunt soldiers. 



King Saul. 133 

What fiend of fear 
Rules all this day ? They flee, and all is lost ! {Exit. 
{Enter Saul wounded, and armor-bearer.) 

Saul. 
Here will I stand ; I can advance no further. 
I am sore wounded, pierced with many shafts, 
Marked by my greatness for more numerous foes. 
Deserted by my people and o'ercome, 
The king of Israel has now no friend 
But thee. Ascend now yonder eminence, 
And tell me how the battle yet goes on. 

{Armor-bearer ascends the hill and looks abroad^ 

Armor-bearer. 
O king, it is as if the whole broad plain 
Were filled with mad, contending waves, that leap 
Against each other, driven on by force 
Of unseen tempests. So this swelling sea 
Of arm^d men rolls now this way, then that, 
And finds no stay to its mad course of death. 

Saul. 
But how fares Israel } 

Armor-bearer. 

I see them now, 
Borne like the drift before the swollen stream, 
Upon this raging sea, tossed, scattered, wrecked. 

And overwhelmed. 

Saul. 

And is there none to stay 
This senseless mass of angry men, and hold 
High over all the name of Israel } 
Where are my three brave sons 1 Say not they, too, 
Are joined in frenzied flight. 



134 King Saul. 

Armor-bearer. 

All Israel flee. 

Saul. 
Nay ! Tell me they are dead I 

Armor-bearer. 

I see them not. 
They surely must have fallen with the slain. 

Saul. 

O, worthy sons of Saul ! O, royal blood 
That cannot flee before the foe, but sinks 
Into the earth, and there makes stand as firm 
As her broad breast ! 

Armor-bearer. 

O, now I see one who 
Withstands alone the whole wild host, a rock 
O'er which the mad surge beats in vain. It is — 
It is thy son, brave Jonathan. 

Saul. 

Look, look 
Again. Tell me of his great deeds. 

Armor- bearer. 

Yea. See ! 
To right and left he hurls the craven foe. 
Even as a lusty swimmer parts the waters, 
Or some bold ship, sped on by strong west winds, 
Cleaves through the smitten waves dashed from her 
prow 



King Saul. 135 

In scattered spray. But, O, he falls ! No ! now 
Is up, and bolder, mightier than before ! 
Again he sinks ; he's gone ! The maddened flood 
Rolls on. 

Saul. 

O, noble Jonathan ! In life, 
The image of bright truth ; in death, truth's self 
Made manifest in glorious deeds. Would that 
The house of Saul were all even as thou wert — 
And art — {Shouts without?) 

But soon shall be. I hear the sounds 
Of battle. Waves of victory and rout 
Come surging on, and death rides on their crest. 
Approach. Take thou this sword, rich with the 

blood 
Of heathen lives destroyed by my strong hand ; 
Draw it and thrust me through. I am thy king ; 
It is my last command. Obey, lest these 
Uncircumcised shall come and thrust me through, 
And thus the king of Israel be defiled 
By their foul hands. Why tremblest thou } Hast been 
So long with me, and fearest to see death ! 
Obey, and flee ; thou mayest yet escape. 

Armor-Bearer. 

My royal master, bid me not do this. 
O ! bid me slay myself, — and I obey 
With joy. {Kji&eling and embracitig him.) 

O, first, last king of Israel, 
Dear, gracious sovereign, ask me not this, 
That my last act to thee may not be one 
Of disobedience. 



136 King Saul. 

Saul. 
Then rise, dear friend, 
I will not longer test thy faithful heart ; 
Escape, while yet is time. No meaner hand 
Than mine shall set my spirit free. 

Armor-Bearer. 

And mine 
Shall go with thee. 

{Shouts and sounds of battle drawing fiearer. ) 

Saul. 
Nay ! haste, away ! — *Tis come 
The supreme moment's come ; the moment feared 
By all but me. What can it take from me 
From whom all earthly power and pride have fled } 
In one brief day my crown and kingdom lost ; 
My sons, and name more dear than life, all lost ! 
What can it bring to me, whose breast has long 
Been strange to human joys and griefs, possessed 
By torments known but to the damned souls 
Beyond the grave } Can death, or its hereafter, 
Wake fear in one who hath already met 
Every shape conceivable of dread 
That either world can conjure up to quell 
A human soul .^ Met and defeated, driven 
With curses back to their conspiring powers ! 
Another world cannot supply more pomps 
And pride than I have owned and scorned in this. 
Death cannot lead me to a deeper hell 
Than that I bear within. Even the God 
Of Israel, whose mighty powers are all 
Put forth to crush this dust, can but set free 



King Saul. 137 

This spark of his own will, that yet, undying, 
Hates and defies. {Battle sounds increase.) 

Hiss on, ye groveUng worms. 
Blind instruments of wrath divine. Not ye 
Have conquered Saul. I scorn ye, spit on ye. 
And loathe ye from mine inmost soul. — Come, death, 
Thou canst not terrify. Thou art my slave. 
Disrobe me of this clogging clay. Let loose 
My soul to rush into the spirit world 
With challenge to my hidden enemies ; 
Where, with immortal powers unconquerable, 
I shall forever wage unyielding war. 

(Draws his sword ^ 
This is the way. Come now, good sword ; do quick 
Thy work, — blest instrument of victory 
O'er all my foes. Rip off this fleshy cloak ; 
Cut down the bars of sense ; open the door 
Of freedom ; while, as I rush through, I breathe 
Defiance on the world. 

{Falls on his sword.) 

Great death, come soon ! 

Armor-Bearer. 
O, glorious death ! Dear master, thou hast taught 
Me how to conquer death. No hour can find 
My soul so girded up for his approach. 
No place, no instrument, so fit as this. 
Most honored blood that thus shall flow with Saul's 
Into the earth, which opens to receive it. 
{Falls on his sword and dies.) 

{The enejny rush in with loud shouts, but suddenly pause upon 
seeing the bodies of Saul a?td his servant.) 



138 King Saul. 

{Enter David and Abishai with soldiers. They fight with the 
eitemy and disperse them. 

David. 
Where is the king } On, on, to rescue Saul ! 

Abishai. 
Behold, what slain are these } Our countrymen ! 
Saul's armor-bearer ! — Yea, the king himself! 
And by his own hand fallen ! A priceless gift 
To death, by royal hand bestowed ! None else 
Could touch such death-surviving majesty. 

David. 
O Saul, my king, my sire ! thou'rt fallen, fallen ! 
Weep, O my soul ! The enemies of God 
Prevail ; the pride of Israel is slain ; 
The Lord's anointed is no more ! Woe ! woe 
To the house of Jacob ! Woe to the seed 
Of Abraham ! 

Saul. 

O, how this vile clay clings 
To its departing tenant ! Alas ! my life 
Is yet within me. Draw thou near and slay me. 

David. 
My father ! 

Saul. 
David, do I hear thy voice ? 

David. 
Yea, O my father, live. 

Saul. 
My son, my son ! 
Now are the prophet's words fulfilled. I die, 
And thou wilt reign. My sons are now with him. 



King Saul. 139 

David. 
Dear Jonathan ? — 

Saul. 

He, too, trod down by fate 
Inflexible and stern, that goes before 
To clear thy way. Man cannot war with God. 
Once, young as thou, I heard his guiding voice ; 
But now its thunders roll along the verge 
Of that dark world to which I fly. Fear God, 
And live. Now, now my spirit breaks away. 
Great seer, I come, I come ! With thee — to-day. [Dies. 

David. 
O day of mourning, marked above all days, 
Haste to thy end ! O sun, descend : O vail 
Thy face in clouds ! Ye woods and waters, sigh ; 
Ye tuneful ones, your notes prolong in grief ; 
Let all that live lament the dead i 

{Enter Abner and Ishbosheth.) 

Abner. 

Behold 
King Saul, whom mighty death, that conquers all, 
Possesses now. O, who can fill his place .'' 

Ishbosheth. 
Is not the son of Saul the one most fit 
To follow him 1 Now, Abner, is the time ; 
Make good thy words. The opportunity, 
Cast out from fate's fast-shifting riddle, seized 
Upon the fall, is ours ; but missed, is lost 
Forever. 

Abner. 

Is this a time for words .-* This hour. 
Which in its narrow compass holds the fate 



140 King Saul. 

Of Israel, calls for men — bold, mighty men. 
The people make the king. Now, David, make 
Thy league with me. My hand shall be with thee 
To bring all Judah unto thee, while I 
Rule Israel. Let us divide the land. 

David. 
Well ; I will make a league with thee, but this 
I first require of thee ; thou shalt not see 
My face except thou bring Saul's daughter here. 
Deliver me my wife. 

Abner. 
It shall be done 
According to thy words. \Exit. 

ISHBOSHETH. 

Traitor, thy word 
Broken to me thou never shalt make good. {^Exit. 

David. 
O Saul, Saul ! what a chasm thou hast left 
In this rent state, in which all lesser men 
Are lost ! 

{Enter soldiers^ 

First Soldier. 
My lord, the men of Jabesh come 
Bearing the corse of noble Jonathan. 

David. 
Blest be the men of Jabesh of the Lord. 

{Enter inen of Jabesh bearing the body of Jonathan:) 
How are the mighty fallen I 
O, beauty of Israel, slain upon thy high places ! 



King Saul. 141 

From the blood of the slain, 

From the fat of the mighty, 

The bow of Jonathan turned not back, 

The sword of Saul returned not empty. 

O, Saul and Jonathan ! 

In mutual love united in your lives. 

And in your death ye are not divided. 

How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle ! 

Jonathan, slain on thine own mountains ! 

1 am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan. 
Most dear hast thou been unto me. 

Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of 

women. 
How are the mighty fallen. 
And the weapons of war perished ! 

{Enter Sarah.) 

Sarah. 

My dearest husband, thou art mine at last ! 

My father and my brother, ye are mine 

No more. O, deep and dark decrees of God, 

That while they give, remove. My royal sire. 

Thy troubled reign is o'er. A subject now. 

Thou dwell'st at peace in death's wide, shadowy 

realm. 
My brother, dearest, tenderest of men, 
Why must insatiate death embrace thee too ? 
O. is the blood of Saul so rank to Heaven, 
That all it taints must fall .? God, if I stand 
Between thy will and its accomplishment. 
Remove me, too, that David's crown and throne 
May be made sure, according to thy word. 



142 King Saul. 

David, 
Not so, my noble wife, for love hath made 
Us one, and one our destiny ; e'en though 
God's will hath fallen between thy brother's heart 
And mine, and death's strong barrier divides. 

Sarah. 
Thou art my father, brother, country, king, 
And crown ; and having thee, I have them all 
Again. 

David. 

A nation's honor gives less joy, 

Than love of one. 

{Enter messenger^ 

Messenger. 
Ye men of Judah, lo ! 
Great Abner is no more. 

David. 

What sayest thou } 

Messenger. 
Abner is slain. Behold, as he went out 
From thee, Ishbosheth took him there aside 
To speak with him, and smote him that he died. 

David. 
Behold ! I and my people are without 
The guilt of Abner's blood before the Lord. 
It rests on him that wrought this deed. The man 
Of guile hath fallen in his self-set snare. 
{Enter Rechab and Baanah.) 

Attendant. 
The sons of Rimmon, Rechab and Baanah, come. 



King Saul. 143 

David. 
Let them speak. 

Rechab. 
Behold, the son of Saul, 
Thine enemy, which sought thy life, is slain. 

David. 
By whom ? 

Rechab. 

We have revenged my lord this day 
Of Saul, and of his seed. 

David. 

As God doth live, 
Who out of all adversity hath brought 
My soul, this day shall I require of you 
Ishbosheth's blood. Therefore, shall I not now 
Take you away from earth ? Young men, lead them 
Away to death. 

\Exeiint Rechab and Baanah with guard. 

Elder of Judah. 
Ye men of Judah, see ! 
The Lord hath now cut off the enemies 
Of David, every one, and fulfilled all 
His word spoken by mouth of Samuel, 
To take the kingdom from the house of Saul, 
And to set up the throne of David o'er 
The land of Judah and o'er Israel. 
Shall we not now assemble all the tribes 
To crown him king "^ 

All. 
All hail to David, king ! 



144 King Saul. 

David. 
God reigns forever o'er the sons of men. 
Blest are the people that obey his voice, 
And lost the nation that forsakes the Lord. 

Elder. 
Now let us go to bury Saul, who feared 
Not God ; and then anoint great David king, 
Who walketh in his law to do his will. 

( The 111671 of Jabesk take up the bodies of Saul and Jonathan, 
followed by David and Sarah, and all in procession^ 

All. {Chanting >, 
How are the mighty fallen, 
And the weapons of war perished ! 
How are the mighty fallen in the battle ! 

{Exeunt omnes. 



THE END. 



